Honi soit qui mal y pense

" but it appears to have been a later addition. [cite book
last = Waldron
first = Ronald Alan, editor
authorlink = Ronald Alan Waldron
title = Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
publisher = Northwestern University Press
year = 1970
location = Evanston, Illinois
pages = p. 139
url = http://books.google.com/books?id=99-SAHCAMmoC&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_summary_r&cad=0#PPA139,M1
isbn = 9780810103283 OCLC|135649] Its literal translation from Old French is "Shame be to him who thinks evil of it" [cite encyclopedia
title = Order of the Garter
encyclopedia = Encyclopedia Americana
volume = XII
pages = 300
publisher = Encyclopedia Americana Corp.
location = New York
date = 1919
url = http://books.google.com/books?id=NmQMAAAAYAAJ&printsec=titlepage&source=gbs_summary_r&cad=0#PPA300,M1] (although it is sometimes re-interpreted as "Evil be to him who evil thinks" [cite encyclopedia
last = Thomas
first = Tayler
authorlink = Thomas Tayler
title = Equites Garterii
encyclopedia = The Law Glossary: Being a Selection of the Greek, Latin, Saxon, French, Norman, and Italian Sentences, Phrases, and Maxims, Found in the Leading English and American Reports and Elementary Works: With Historical and Explanatory Notes : Alphabetically Arranged, and Translated into English, for the Use of the Members of the Legal Profession, Law Students, Sheriffs, Justices of the Peace, Etc. Etc.
pages = 183
publisher = Baker, Voorhis & Co.
location = New York
date = 1866
url = http://books.google.com/books?id=ApPTyWXqOygC&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_summary_r&cad=0#PPA183,M1
isbn = 1886363129] ).

This statement supposedly originated when King Edward III was dancing with the Countess of Salisbury. Her garter slipped down to her ankle, causing those around her to respond with sniggers at her humiliation. In an act of chivalry Edward placed the garter around his own leg, saying "Honi soit qui mal y pense", and the phrase later became the motto of the Order.

It may be understood as 'A scoundrel, who thinks badly by it', or 'Shame on him, who suspects illicit motivation'. Nowadays it is also used to express a slightly ironic sentiment about seemingly, but not explicitly related statements or events. Examples might be a story containing a double entendre, in which the teller 'warns' against the licentious interpretation. It can also be used to point out, by ironically denying, the actual relation of actions. If a politician were to argue the national benefit of a government program - which would happen to bring great investments to a particular county; the county where that politician happens to hail from: Then you'd be 'a scoundrel' to think anything but the 'national benefit' was the true motivation.

The phrase was quoted by Judge Goodwill Banner to Roy Hobbs near the finale of "The Natural."

The motto of the Order appears on a representation of the garter, surrounding the shield, on the Royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom. (The motto of the Royal arms, Dieu et mon droit, being displayed on a scroll beneath the shield). Several British Army regiments also use the motto of the Order of the Garter, including the Grenadier Guards, Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, Life Guards and the Blues and Royals.

Futher, the motto is also present on the emblem of the Royal Australian Engineers, and is denoted on a circular belt, surrounded by a wreath, with the crown jewels atop.

The motto was also used as the motto on the official emblem of the South Australian Railways.

References