TACE IS LATIN FOR A CANDLE, phr. (old).—A cant phrase in the 18th century suggesting the expediency of silence. [Latin, tacēre. GROSE.]
1710. SWIFT, Polite Conversation, ii. Brandy is Latin for a Goose, and TACE IS LATIN FOR A CANDLE.
1751. FIELDING, Amelia, I. x. ‘TACE, madam,’ answered Murphy, ’IS LATIN FOR A CANDLE: I commend your prudence.’
