pope
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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!"
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.
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?"
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.
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!"
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!
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 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. informalSee 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