Quote:
Originally Posted by Urbane Guerrilla
The explanation I've heard was it was a codeword, intended to be both easily remembered and innocuous sounding, devised for the entertainment of bored reporters and policemen whilst circulating amongst the public. On being alerted, you could discreetly check for who's showing.
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OT but valid driftage...
I worked at The Gaucho Grill just off Piccadilly Circus in my early 20s.
We were owned by the same company as Down Mexico Way next door. Their codeword for fire - to prevent panic amongst the customers - was Fidel Castro. However they'd found staff were unable to remember that (unlike me, who remembers it 15 years later!) So the new codeword was Mr Smoke.
Subtle.
Seems a common conceit - The League of Gentlemen made fun of it similarly referencing "Mr Flame is rampaging throught the dressing rooms" as unintelligible to non theatre folk.
One day I may call somewhere and ask to speak to Mr Smoke. Just for funsies.