E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Nitouche (St.)
or Mie Touche (Touch-me-not). A hypocrite, a demure-looking pharisee. The French say, Faire la Sainte Nitouche, to pretend to great sanctity, or look as if butter would not melt in your mouth.
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“It is certainly difficult to believe hard things of a woman who looks like Ste. Nitouche in profile.”—J. O. Hobbes: Some Emotions and a Moral, chap. iii.
