<P> Alternatively, but similarly, it has been suggested that it may be a corruption of the Austrian greeting Grüss Gott . </P> <P> In keeping with the Victorian - era origin of the phrase, it is sometimes anecdotally associated with Albert, Prince Consort . </P> <P> An early reference to Sir Walter Scott as the "great Scott" is found in a poem entitled "The Wars of Bathurst 1830" published in The Sydney Monitor on 27 October 1830 (i.e. still during Scott's lifetime); the pertinent line reading "Unlike great Scott, who fell at Waterloo", in reference to Scott's poorly - received The Field of Waterloo </P> <P> An explicit connection of Sir Walter Scott's name with the by - then familiar exclamation is found in a poem published 15 August 1871, on the centenary anniversary of Scott's birth: </P>

Where did the saying great scott come from