what does "as an actor said to the bishop" mean?

Question

its a phrase that everyone says but nobody knows what it originally was about. can anyone help?

Answer 1

It's "As the actress said to the Bishop", and its the same as a Finbaar Saunders and his Double Entendres style Oo-Err Misses **** up in the conversation. You know, when you say something then realise it sounds rude; you then add "as the actress said to the bishop".

Answer 2

The phrase is, "As the actress said to the bishop", or the other way round, "as the bishop said to the actress". You tag it onto the end of an otherwise innocent phrase spoken by someone else to make a double entendre.

E.g.
- "Look at the time! I think I've got a little behind today."
- "As the actress said to the bishop."

or

"My God, that was a relief!"
"As the bishop said to the actress."

I don't know what the origin of the expression is, maybe some old music hall joke. My brother and I used to be forever using it when we were at school, which was in the 1960s, and it wasn't new then.

Answer 3

it's generally "... as the actress said to the bishop." and it's best used after something which has a double meaning (where the meaning that isn't intended is rude or risqué).

Title of an article I just found: Prince Charles Down Under (as the actress said to the bishop).

'Down Under' really refers to Australia, meaning 'Prince Charles in Australia' but adding the phrase implies a saucy meaning which, of course, has nothing to do with the article!

Answer 4

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
what does "as an actor said to the bishop" mean?
its a phrase that everyone says but nobody knows what it originally was about. can anyone help?

Answer 5

It's usually about an actress, but I guess even interjections need to go with the times.

Answer 6

Sorry I don't know, bin trying to come up with something but can't

Answer 7

I've never heard it before.