pope

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.

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.

See also: catholic, more, pope

outpope 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 as being overly pious. I can't believe we're not allowed to eat meat on Fridays while we're staying with Grandma. She could outpope the Pope! The zealous preacher-turned-Senator's campaign is so strictly rooted in Biblical law that many feel he's outpoping 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 well known for their social welfare, Denmark outpopes 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

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!"

See also: actress, pope, said

does the Pope shit in the woods

vulgar slang A sarcastic response to a question for which the answer is obviously "yes." A combination of the similar phrases "Does a bear shit in the woods?" and "Is the Pope Catholic?" A: "Are we going to win this game?" B: "Does the Pope shit in the woods? We're first in the division, of course we're going to win!"

See also: does, pope, shit, wood

is the pope 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 Catholic? Of course I'll be there!"

See also: catholic, 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

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

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!"

See also: pope

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

Is the Pope (a) Catholic?

used to indicate that something is blatantly obvious. informal

See also: pope

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