Fanny Fannakapan

[hazyhazy]

Does anyone have any idea where these saying came from? It seems to be generally used to refer to domeone a bit ditzy or silly. A teacher at my school used to use it all the time, and I've heard other people use it occasionally, but none seems to know what it means or where it came from. Any ideas?

[Quizmonster]

'Nanny Fannakapan' is the name of the dame's part - ie one played by a man - in the pantomine 'Babes in the Wood'. Perhaps there's a connection there?

[jno]

well, there was a Gracie Fields song...

http://www.guardian.co.uk/notesandqueries/query/0,,-1942,00.html

(though none of this quite answers your question)