Cordon Bleu, originally the 'blue ribbon' which in France supported the insignia of the Order of the Holy Ghost; but playfully transferred to good cooks, who after examination received a medal, also suspended from a 'blue ribbon.'
Cordon Bleu
Chambers's Encyclopaedia, Volume 3: Catarrh to Dion, p. 476
Source scan(s): p. 0487