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vanishedone commented on the word charlie's dead
BBC: 'When I was at school, the whispered warning Charlie's dead alerted a girl to the fact that her petticoat was showing under her lovat-green school skirt. Horror of horrors!
...
'There are various theories as to where that curious phrase came from. It seems to date from World War II, and my own favourite explanation is that in the 1940s, the window-blinds were lowered whenever there was a death in the house.
'The dipping half-slip was like a lowered window-shade. More fanciful versions involving Bonny Prince Charlie or Charles II, are, I am afraid, historically implausible, though no doubt a number of listeners will write or e-mail me to say that they prefer them.'
October 27, 2008
asativum commented on the word charlie's dead
Sounds like a more subtle version of like "your barn door's open" in the U.S. Midwest, said to a fellow with his fly open.
October 27, 2008
sarra commented on the word charlie's dead
And ton magasin est ouvert for the same, Asa, I was told years ago. I have a feeling this one mightn't be very reliable.
November 2, 2008