"During one of the breathing spells of the Napoleonic Wars, Bonaparte arranged for a flotilla to line up for review by the empress [Josephine]. As her barge passed each vessel, sailors clinging to the shrouds were supposed to wave their hats and shout three times, 'Vive l'Emperatrice!' The frigate representing the United States received a special commendation, though the crew had not learned the French words. Instead the captain had them shout, 'Beef, lemons, and cheese!'"
Sources
Willard R. Espy, Another Almanac of Words at Play
