Perfidious Albion
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"Perfidious Albion" means "treacherous Britain" ("Albion" deriving from the pre-Roman name for Britain). The phrase was coined in a poem of 1793 by Augustin, Marquis of Ximenez, who wrote,
- Attaquons dans ses eaux la perfide Albion
which means "Let us attack the perfidious Albion in her waters". It was popularised in 1813 when it was used as a recruiting slogan during the Napoleonic Wars.
Perfidious signifies one who does not keep his faith or word. Albion is an ancient name for Great Britain, of disputed origin (see Albion).
The locution was currently used by Italian dictator Benito Mussolini, in order to focus on the evil nature of the British enemies. Template:UK-hist-stubes:Pérfida Albión fr:Perfide Albion