Vauʹgirard

The deputies of Vaugirard. Only one individual. This applies to all the false companies in which the promoter represents the directors, chairman, committee, and entire staff. The expression is founded on an incident in the reign of Charles VIII. of France: The usher announced to the king “The deputies of Vaugirard.” “How many are there?” asked the king. “Only one, and please your majesty,” was the answer. (See Tailors.)

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Entry taken from Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, edited by the Rev. E. Cobham Brewer, LL.D. and revised in 1895.