boy bishop
/ˌbɔɪ ˈbɪʃəp/noun
A boy elected to play the role of bishop.
- In many medieval cathedrals and other collegiate institutions it was customary to elect a boy to act or parody the role of a bishop for a part of the Christmas period (traditionally from St Nicholas' Day to Innocents' Day). The custom was abolished by Henry VIII and again, after a revival under Mary I, by Elizabeth I in 1558, but has been revived in the modern period in some cathedrals and churches..
Origin
Early 17th century (in an earlier sense). From boy + bishop.
- in the field
- in the final (or last) analysis
- in the first (or second etc.) instance
- in the first place
- in the flesh
- in the fullness of time
- in the gift of
- in the grip of
- in the gun
- in the heat of the moment
- in the heel of the hunt
- in the hole
- in the hope of
- in the interests (or interest) of something
- in the land of the living
- in the lap of luxury
- in the lap of the gods
- in the last resort
- in the light of (or in light of)
- in the line of duty
- in the long run
- in the main
- in the making
- in the mass
- in the matter of