Fred Karno's army

English

Alternative forms

• Karno's army
• Fred Carno's army (misspelling)
• Carno's army (misspelling)

Etymology

From the First World War marching tune "We're Fred Karno's Army", ultimately from the slapstick music hall entertainer Fred Karno.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /fɹɛd ˈkɑːnəʊz ɑːmiː/

Proper noun

Fred Karno's army

1. (UK, slang) A chaotic, poorly-managed group.
   • 1951 November 28, Anthony Head, “New Clause.—(ENROLMENT.)”, in parliamentary debates (House of Commons), volume 494, column 1656:

     Whatever any hon. Member in any part of the Committee thinks about the advisability of this Bill, they all wish the Force that eventually is created to be an efficient one and not a Fred Karno's army.

   • 1973, John Pellow, With a Little Help from My Friends, page 156:

     It was like bloody Fred Karno's army out there. They were sods. Drunk as lords. Been to a wedding party or something.

   • 1997, Craig Thomas, A Different War, page 221:

     'Honest, Marian — it's a right Fred Karno's army setup . . .'