Big Dog said:
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Subrosa? I need another definition.........[/size][/font]
Now hold your horses large canine. I used the term because the orginazations of the Freemasons and Knights Templar were invoked in conversation. All of our Latin Club meetings were held "sub-rosa". Other than to sound like something important was being discussed and important information was being disciminated, it was for show. You see,
Sub rosa comes from the Latin words that translate, literally "under the rose," from the ancient association of the rose with confidentiality, the origin of which traces to a famous story in which Cupid gave Harpocrates, the god of silence, a rose to bribe him not to betray the confidence of Venus. Hence the ceilings of Roman banquet-rooms were decorated with roses to remind guests that what was spoken
sub vino (under the influence of wine) was also
sub rosa. You know the Las Vegas phrase for this, "What happens here stays here". Really, no different.
To enhance the secrecy and mystique, the meetings could also be held con-clave. This translates from Latin to "under lock". When the Catholics elect a new pope, it is done during "conclave", which is from the Latin root we discussed. The Cardinals are literally locked in the chapel with no outside communication until a new pope is chosen. I'll spare you the process and the wonderful code of the colored smoke from the burning of the ballots.
So, sorry, nothing sexual, either homo or hetro, is hidden in the meaning of what I mentioned. Sorry for any confusion or mental duress I may have caused.