between you and me and the bedpost/gatepost/four walls/lamppost
between you and me and the bedpost/gatepost/four walls/lamppost
In strictest confidence. This elaboration of just between you and me is often followed by gossip about someone else. The bedpost version dates from the early nineteenth century and was used by Edward Bulwer-Lytton (Eugene Aram, 1832: “Between you and me and the bedpost, young master has quarrelled with old master”), Dickens, and others. The lamppost version may be a little older, but is not much heard anymore.
See also: and, bedpost, between, four, gatepost, lamppost, wall
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
- dish the dirt
- a dog that'll bring a bone will carry a bone
- dish on
- dish on (someone or something)
- dish the dirt on (someone or something)
- say (something) behind (one's) back
- say something behind someone's back
- strict
- in confidence
- spill (the) tea