An Inspector Calls

During the first scene at the dinner table, Eric Birling says "Steady, the Buffs". This phrase means "stay calm, be careful, and persevere", and is associated with the 3rd Regiment of Foot (The East Kent Regiment), whose nickname was 'The Buffs'. The phrase is thought to have originated when the Regiment was stationed in Malta in 1858, and was popularised in Rudyard Kipling's novel, "Soldiers Three". 'Buffs' refers the dull yellow colour of the facings worn by the regiment, starting in the 18th Century.

Despite the film/story being set in 1912 England, the ladies dresses feature zip fasteners, but the modern zipper was not invented for use in clothing until 1913.

Referenced in El inspector Morse: Second Time Around (1991)