What is "nolo episcopari"

interj. Expressing a facetiously modest refusal of something which is actually desired.

The Latin expression nolo episcopari is the traditional formal refusal made by a cleric in the Roman Catholic and Anglican churches of an offer as appointment as a bishop. It means, literally, "I do not wish to be bishoped". A historical myth has arisen that it was customary and decorous for any candidate for a bishopric to decline the office twice by use of the expression, only a third use of which would indicate a true intention of refusal.

In Greece in pagan antiquity, Plato in his Republic suggested that the ideal ruler would be given absolute power only upon the condition that he did not want it. The Speaker of the House of Commons of the United Kingdom is by tradition on appointment dragged unwilling from the members' benches to the Speaker's Chair. The procedure since the Blair government is now less credible as he himself applies for the post.

Henry Fielding in his 1749 novel The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling uses the phrase to show becoming modesty on the part of a lady asked for in marriage: