Under The Rose

[Nigel E. Richardson]

"Brian D. McCary" <bdm at colossus.storz.com> wonders:


> Just out of curiosity, does anyone know where the phrase "under the rose"
> comes from?  Not only is it the title of one of TRP's short stories,
> but it pops up early on in V:

Under the rose = sub rosa = in strict confidence.

The Brewer's Fable and Phrase explanation:

"Cupid gave Harpocrates (the God of Silence) a rose,
to bribe him not to betray the amours of Venus. Hence
the flower became the emblem of silence. It was for
this reason sculptured on the ceilings of banquet-
rooms. to remind the guests that what was spoken _sub
vino_ was not to be uttered _sub divo_. In 1526 it
was placed under confessionals."

Enough, and more than enough, there, me thinks...

Nigel
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