A reader writes about the origins of the term bongo-bongo land, cited here:
Oh, come on. It’s in Africa. No question about it. One literary instance is a P.G. Wodehouse story in which the uncle of a relative of Mr. Mulliner is anointed as Bishop of Bongo-Bongo (and thereafter signs himself, in accordance with Church of England ceremonial, as “Theodore Bongo-Bongo.”) The bongo is an African antelope. There’s also a Broadway song from 1947 that starts “Bongo, Bongo, Bongo (I Don’t Want to Leave the Congo).” I am against those who can’t think of anything better to do than sift public utterances for racism, but the Ruritania thing is preposterous.
Godfrey is busted methinks. His affect nonetheless cracks me up every time I watch the video.
The Dish 