as the actress said to the bishop

== English == === Alternative forms === as the bishop said to the actress said the actress to the bishop said the bishop to the actress The nature of the innuendo varies depending on whether the male or the female is supposed to be doing the speaking. === Etymology === In the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, the occupation of actress was commonly associated with prostitute. The phrase plays on the contrasting natures of an actress or prostitute on one hand and a presumably (although possibly not actually) chaste bishop on the other. === Pronunciation === === Phrase === as the actress said to the bishop (UK, humorous) Used to highlight a sexual ambiguity in an innocent remark. === See also === double entendre / double-entendre euphemism innuendo oo-er ooh, matron nudge nudge wink wink that's what she said