In Word Fugitives:
" Wordier expressions were easy enough to find: 'keep up appearances' or 'hold onto their self-respect,' but these
lacked economy. Also 'cover their asses,' while satisfying in its anatomical relocation, is obviously less dignified along
with its not possessing quite the same connotation. Does this expression so dominate its niche that there exists no
other suitable poecilonym?"

with reply by tsuwm (over three years ago)
"I think Patrick may have been reaching for a synonym for synonym; poecilonymy is the use of several names for one
thing."