Laughing up his (your, my) sleeve.

Posted by James Briggs on October 19, 2003

In Reply to: Laughing up his (your, my) sleeve. posted by Loring on October 19, 2003

: What is the origin of this phrase?

To laugh up one's sleeve is to laugh inwardly; to be amused secretly. At one time it was quite possible to conceal such amusement by hiding one's face in the large loose sleeves then worn. The French say, 'rire sous cape'.