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The Spanish Inquistition

Posted by ESC on July 21, 2000

In Reply to: Holy Toledo! posted by ESC on July 21, 2000

: : : Does anyone know where the phrase "Holy Toledo" came from?

: : Don't know if it's relevant but Toledo steel was used in medieval swords - renowned for it's quality - which may have been used in wars against the Infidels.

: "holy Toledo! - This exclamation of surprise refers to Toledo, Spain, which became one of the great centers of Christian culture after its liberation from the Moors in 1085. Its thirteenth-century Gothic cathedral, one of the largest in Europe, is the seat of the Cardinal Archbishop of Spain." Morris Dictionary of Word and Phrase Origins by William and Mary Morris (HarperCollins, New York, 1977, 1988).

Which reminds me of a Monty Python sketch:
"NOBODY expects the Spanish Inquisition! Our chief weapon is surprise...surprise and fear...fear and surprise.... Our two weapons are fear and surprise...and ruthless efficiency.... Our THREE weapons are fear, surprise, and ruthless efficiency...and an almost fanatical devotion to the Pope.... Our FOUR...no... Amongst our weapons.... Amongst our weaponry...are such elements as fear, surprise.... I'll come in again. (Exit and exeunt) Chapman: I didn't expect a kind of Spanish Inquisition. (JARRING CHORD) (The cardinals burst in) Ximinez: NOBODY expects the Spanish Inquisition! Amongst our weaponry are such diverse elements as: fear, surprise, ruthless efficiency, an almost fanatical devotion to the Pope, and nice red uniforms - Oh damn! (To Cardinal Biggles) I can't say it - you'll have to say it. Biggles: What? Ximinez: You'll have to say the bit about 'Our chief weapons are ...' Biggles: (rather horrified): I couldn't do that... (Ximinez bundles the cardinals outside again) Chapman: I didn't expect a kind of Spanish Inquisition. (JARRING CHORD) (The cardinals enter)..." And so forth.

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