Vatican cameos

[Britney]

Vatican Cameos is a phrase used in BBCs Sherlock when Sherlock is about to open Irene Adlers safe. The phrase first originated in World War 2. It was used when a non-military person, who was armed (gun or knife) entered a British military base. The phrase was a signal for everyone duck out of the line of fire. Sherlock knew that John, being a military man, would recognise this phrase and duck out of the way of the gun in the safe. It is not a code phrase which Sherlock and John coordinated as a safe word. Very clever, dont you think?

[Sonia]

In the [Sherlock Holmes] books it refers to one of [Sir Arthur Conan Doyle]s stories, in which he refers to another case Sherlock worked on to do with some Vatican Cameos.
In the case of [BBC Sherlock] it is code for duck, as in get out of the way. It probably refers to another case [Sherlock] and [Watson] worked on not shown in an episode, in which only Watson knows to duck out of the way of, in this case, an oncoming bullet. Most usually used by [Cumberbitches].

[PussyCat]

In the [Sherlock Holmes] books it refers to one of [Sir Arthur Conan Doyle]s stories, in which he refers to another case Sherlock worked on to do with some Vatican Cameos.
In the case of [BBC Sherlock] it is code for duck, as in get out of the way. It probably refers to another case [Sherlock] and [Watson] worked on not shown in an episode, in which only Watson knows to duck out of the way of, in this case, an oncoming bullet. Most usually used by [Cumberbitches].

[Guest]

@Britney That is ridiculous. Rather than make up something as far fetched as that, it seems much simpler to assume this is a reference to one of Doyle’s tantalizing unseen cases.
Perhaps, in your eagerness to oblige His Holiness, you have lost sight of the obvious?

[Guest]

@PussyCat except it isn't far fetched. That's what it means and where its from

[Guest]

@Guest except its not far-fetched. That's what it means and where it is from.

Mods, i @ed the wrong user on the first pass, please delete the other

[Guest]

I think it's simpler than Jon's a soldier.
I think it is that it's a British phrase that the American gunmen wouldn't know but both Irene and Jon would react. Obviously Irene knows about the boobie trap but it was more of a NOW! Type of thing for her.

[Guest]

She got it right. The phrase is still used. I was briefed on it when I worked with the British (Coldstream and 2nd Rifles).