lamp-postn.
/ˈlam(p)pəʊst/, U.S. /ˈlæm(p)ˌpoʊst/ A post, usually of iron, used to support a street-lamp. Sometimes with allusion to its use during the French Revolution for hanging a victim of popular fury.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > light > artificial light > an artificial light > [noun] > lamp > outdoor lamp > lamp-post
lamp-post1790
society > travel > means of travel > route or way > way, path, or track > street > [noun] > street-lamp > post supporting
lamp-post1790
1790 W. Roy in Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 80 164 The same socket that fitted the top of the flag-staff, or lamp-post, could be applied to the tripod.
1790 E. Burke Refl. Revol. in France 76 This sort of discourse does well enough with the lamp-post for its second. View more context for this quotation
1864 C. Dickens Our Mutual Friend (1865) I. i. v. 33 He contrived a back to his wooden stool, by placing it against the lamp-post.
1880 L. Wallace Ben-Hur 295 A platform garnished by some lamp-posts.
Draft additions 1993
b. Colloquial phrase between you and me and the lamp-post: in strict confidence. Cf. gatepost n. b.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > secrecy, concealment > [adverb] > in confidence
under the rose1546
under (the) thumb1577
sub sigillo1623
sub rosa1654
between you and me and the bed-post1830
between (or betwixt) you (and) me and the gatepost1871
under one's hat1885
between you and me and the lamp-post1919
off the record1920
cagily1926
1919 P. G. Wodehouse Damsel in Distress xxvi. 309 Between me and you and the lamp-post, you haven't an earthly!
1924 D. Stone Yank Brown, Pitcher i. 14 Even then, though, just between you and me and the lamp-post, when I wanted to eat a piece of pie, I ate it.
1940 J. L. Bonney Murder without Clues vi. 94 Between you and me and the lamp-post I'm tickled you got here.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1901; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1790