6:04 PM// Chiefly British

I finally uncovered the meaning of the chiefly british phrase "as an actor said to a bishop". I still have yet to learn the etymology of this phrase, but here is the gist of the meaning:

In normal conversation, when something is said with a possible sexual double meaning, intoning this popular phrase acknowledges and brings attention to the double entendre; it is similar to the phrase, "no pun intended". Example:

Honey, could stroke my pole a bit? Oh, as an actor said to a bishop!

Now exactly why actors are making sexual references to bishops is beyond me at the moment. Anyone with information should send an email to with all speed.