Wise Men of Gotham

According to Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, the phrase refers to the village of Gotham, which is situated just south of Nottingham. It was famous for the stupidity of its inhabitants.

There were many stories to illustrate their stupidity, such as the time they joined hands around a thorn bush to stop a cuckoo flying away. (The village inn, The Cuckoo Bush, commemorates the occasion.)

It all started when the village inhabitants heard that King John intended to visit the village to set up a hunting lodge. The locals, however, had no intention of being burdened with the costs of supporting the court. So, whenever a local caught sight of a royal messenger, he would take up some ridiculous activity in order to appear idiotic.

The rusewas successful - the King looked elsewhere for the site for his hunting lodge.

The 'wise men' of Gotham remarked, 'We ween there are more fools pass through Gotham than remain in it.'

The nursery rhyme goes -
Three wise men of Gotham
They went to sea in a bowl
And if the bowl had been stronger
My story had been longer