Brewer's: Loaf

Never turn a loaf in the presence of a Menteith. Sir John Stewart de Menteith was the person who betrayed Sir William Wallace to King Edward. His signal was, when he turned a loaf set on the table, the guests were to rush upon the patriot, and secure him. (SirWalterScott: Tales of a Grandfather, vii.)

Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894
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