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Cloak and dagger

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potski205 | 16:06 Thu 26th Jan 2006 | Phrases & Sayings
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What is the origin of the phrase cloak and dagger?
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Avatar Image BourneStupid

Brewers Phrase and Fable:


Swashbuckling plays, full of fighting and adventure. Comes from the Spanish comedias de capa y espada "comedies of cloak and sword" as typified by the Spanish dramatists Lope de Vega and Calderon.

16:17 Thu 26th Jan 2006
Avatar Image Quizmonster
The earliest use of the phrase in English appeared in Charles Dickens' 'Barnaby Rudge', published in 1841. As pointed out above, the words had appeared earlier in Spanish - and also in French as 'de cape et �p�e' - meaning 'cape and sword'.
The words refer to stories/plays in which the main characters were the sort of people to wear/carry such things...spies, secret agents etc.
16:24 Thu 26th Jan 2006
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16:59 Thu 26th Jan 2006

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