son of a bachelor

Indicating a man was of illegitimate birth as his father was not and is still not married. Not to be confused with son of a bitch where bachelor is sometimes substituted for bitch. Melvile used the phrase in Typee. Not sure if he was substituting but I was struck with the subtlety.

Well sir , I will respect your mother but you are one sorry son of a bachelor.

Greeting: What’s up you motherles sons of bachelors?

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