a Saffron Walden
“SCOBIE’S COMMON USAGE
Expressions noted from Scobie’s quaint conversation, his use of certain words, as: . . .
Mauve, meaning ‘silly’, ex.: ‘He was just plain mauve when it came to, etc.’ . . .
Saffron Walden, meaning ‘male brothel’, ex.: ‘He was caught in a Saffron Walden, old man, covered in jam.’ ”
—Lawrence Durrell, Balthazar, 1958.