Meaning of the idiom: 'a smoke-watch'?

English as a Second Language English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
1

Hi, could you please tell something about the origin of the expression a smoke watch. I’ve come across it in the following sentence:

“.…The conclave of 1831 had lasted fifty-four days. Not tonight, he told himself; rumor was this conclave would be a ‘smoke-watch’.”

Thanks in advance,
Torsten

2

Not only can’t I explain its origin, I can’t even find out anywhere what it means!

1 Like
3

Doesn’t it have to do with a papal election? When a new pope has been elected, white smoke rises from the Sistine Chapel chimney, as with Pope Benedict XVI. Black smoke means the cardinals have not reached a decision.

http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/1999/pope/selection/

1 Like
4

I agree with Conchita. The (s)election of a new Pope would seem to be the only logical explanation. Just think of all those reporters and other people who were anxiously hanging around the Vatican — “on the look-out” for the smoke — just before Mr. Ratzinger became Pope. :smiley:

Amy

1 Like
5

Maybe this is a bit far-fetched, but now that Conchita mentioned the papal election it occurred to me that the word papal is very similar to the brandname PayPal. Could there possibly a connection or is this just a coincidence?

Regards,
Torsten

6

I presume it is from the book “Angels & Demons” by Dan Brown. I think it means the conclave will be over within a short span of time.

2 Likes
7

Hi Jay, welcome to our forum. Yes, as far as I remember the phrase occurred in Dan “Brown’s Angels & Demons”. Have you read the book? Many thanks for reading this. Torsten

1 Like