Brewer's: Vaugirard

The deputies of Vaugirard. Only one individual. This applies to all the false companies in which the promoter represents the directors, chairman, committee, and entire staff. The expression is founded on an incident in the reign of Charles VIII. of France: The usher announced to the king “The deputies of Vaugirard.”

“How many are there?” asked the king. “Only one, and please your majesty,” was the answer. (See Tailors.)

Related Content Allusions Foreign Words and Phrases Latin and Greek Word Elements Names: Their Origins and Meanings Old Testament Names Mythology Ancient Greek Literature & Mythology The Bible (King James version) The Koran (translation by J. M. Rodwell) Shakespeare's Plays Tales from Shakespeare (Charles and Mary Lamb) Frequently Misspelled Words Frequently Mispronounced Words Easily Confused Words Writing & Language