What is the meaning of this British idiom?
I was watching BBC's Top Gear and the presenters were cracking jokes about people who live in the 22 of the avenues. And that the people who live there like to give nicknames to their home and have specific decoration, stating that they lived in the 22 of the "Acacia Avenue".
As it is also an Iron Maiden song, and since the band is also British, what is up with this expression?
I can't recall in what Top Gear's episode that phrase popped up, but I'm sure it was around the 2008 season.
I found this wiki entry too: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acacia_Avenue, Which is midly informative. I see that is something linked to the middle class, but I want to know more about the nuances.
Best Answer
I was led to believe 22 Acacia Avenue is based on the Cynthia Payne story from the late 70s and early 80s when she was acquitted of being a madam and running a brothel at 32 Ambleside Avenue, in Streatham, London, England.
She got punters to pay for services with "Luncheon Voucher" coupons, so argued she never provided sex for money. Plus, it's rumoured 22 Acacia Avenue was where the "Special" clients were serviced, the judges, MP's, Police etc... again, one very important reason not to convict her!
If I had to think of an alternative word that portrayed the tense and context of the innuendo I think I would choose perfidious. Now listen again to the lyrics of the Iron Maiden song... it'll all become clearer.
Source: Wikipedia Cynthia Payne