In writing to a chum about the recent decision of the British student-testing authorities to banish UK spelling in favour of American, I used the clause: "The Saracens are at the gate." My chum wrote back and inquired what I meant and to what I was referring. Oops. There is no language gaffe as good as one which is utterly unintended. I said that I meant that this was a dire situation, a critical event, and a last-ditch defense. I frankly have no idea where this usage arose. Undoubtedly it has something to do with the European occupation of parts of Northern Africa in the Middle Ages. But is it a quote? If so, who said it, when and where? Please respond quickly in order that I may appear to my chum much brighter than I really am.