pope

as the actress said to the pope

An aside that is used to create a humorous but lewd sexual innuendo out of something mundane or innocent that someone else has said. (The use of "actress" is because the innuendo always refers to a woman in a sexual situation.) Primarily heard in UK. A: "Wow, that sandwich is huge!" B: "Yeah, I can barely put my hands around it." C: "As the actress said to the pope!" A: "Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to touch you there." B: "As the actress said to the pope!" A: "What are you doing? Just stick it in already." B: "As the actress said to the pope!" A: "What are you, 12 years old?"
See also: actress, pope, said, to

be more Catholic than the Pope (himself)

1. To be more stringently adherent to the laws, tenets, and doctrines of the Catholic faith than is taught or required by the papacy or the Church as a whole. (Usually used hyperbolically as a negative or mocking criticism of someone as being overly pious.) I can't believe we're not allowed to eat meat on Fridays while we're staying with Grandma. She's more Catholic than the Pope himself! Ah, would you stop with your protestations of our mortal sins and telling us to repent every minute of the day! I swear, you're more Catholic than the Pope. A: "I had no idea Aunt Mary went to church every single morning." B: "Oh yeah, she's more Catholic than the Pope himself—but you probably already knew that from all the rules she has at her house."
2. By extension, to be more extreme in one's beliefs, behavior, attitudes, etc., than that of the prevailing authority or standard of normalcy. After a year, Jake had started using every dialectic cliché and slang word he had heard in his adopted country, and soon, he was more Catholic than the Pope, so to speak. These days, many people are more Catholic than the Pope himself in terms of political views, so please do not bring up politics, all right? I was only one minute late getting back to my car, but the meter maid was more Catholic than the Pope and wouldn't rip up my ticket.
See also: catholic, more, pope

Is the Pope (a) Catholic?

A humorous response to a question that the speaker feels would obviously be answered in the affirmative. A: "Are you going to the party tonight?" B: "Is the Pope a Catholic? Of course I'll be there!" A: "Do you think Dave took the money?" B: "Are you kidding? Is the Pope Catholic?" Would I like a free trip to Paris? Is the Pope Catholic?
See also: pope

more Catholic than the Pope (himself)

1. More stringently adherent to the laws, tenets, and doctrines of the Catholic faith than is taught or required by the papacy or the Church as a whole. (Usually used hyperbolically as a negative or mocking criticism of someone as being overly pious.) I can't believe we're not allowed to eat meat on Fridays while we're staying with Grandma. She's more Catholic than the Pope himself! Ah, would you stop with your protestations of our mortal sins and telling us to repent every minute of the day! I swear, you're more Catholic than the Pope.
2. By extension, more extreme in one's beliefs, behavior, attitudes, etc., than that of the prevailing authority or standard of normalcy. After a year, Jake had started using every dialectic cliché and slang word he had heard in his adopted country, and soon he was more Catholic than the Pope, so to speak.
See also: catholic, more, pope

out-pope the Pope

1. To be or act more stringently adherent to the laws, tenets, and doctrines of the Christian faith (not limited to Catholicism) than is taught or required by the papacy or Christianity as a whole. Usually used hyperbolically as a negative or mocking criticism of someone fro being overly pious. I can't believe we're not allowed to eat meat on Fridays while we're staying with Grandma. She could out-pope the Pope! The zealous preacher-turned-Senator's campaign is so strictly rooted in Biblical law that many feel he's out-poping the Pope.
2. By extension, to be more extreme in one's behavior, attitudes, practices, etc., than that of the prevailing authority or standard of normalcy. Among the Nordic countries, all known for their exceptional social welfare policies, Denmark out-popes the Pope in terms of providing care for its people.
See also: pope

pope's nose

The fatty tail of a cooked fowl, especially a chicken. When we were kids, it was always a special treat to be given the pope's nose off the Sunday roast chicken.
See also: nose

said the actress to the pope

An aside that is used to create a humorous but lewd sexual innuendo out of something mundane or innocent that someone else has said. (The use of "actress" is because the innuendo always refers to a woman in a sexual situation.) Primarily heard in UK. A: "Wow, that sandwich is huge!" B: "Yeah, I can barely put my hands around it." C: "Said the actress to the pope!"
See also: actress, pope, said, to

the pope's mustard maker

A pompous person, especially one in an insignificant job or role. In the 14th century, Pope John XXII had a personal "moutardier" (mustard-maker) to ensure that his food was properly seasoned. All she does is copy files all day, but she acts like she's the pope's mustard maker. I practically have to beg for a chance to use the copier!
See also: maker, mustard
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

is the Pope a Catholic?

People say Is the Pope a Catholic? to mean that the answer to a question is obviously yes. `You know how to find it?' Leaphorn asked. `Is the Pope a Catholic?' the taxi driver said. Note: This expression is used humorously.
See also: pope
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

Is the Pope (a) Catholic?

used to indicate that something is blatantly obvious. informal
See also: pope
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

is the Pope Catholic?

A positive response (yes) to what one considers a stupid question. Dating from the mid-twentieth century, this answer should be avoided in polite society.
See also: pope
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer
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