E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Lord Burleigh.
As significant as the shake of Lord Burleigh’s head. In The Critic, by Sheridan, is introduced a tragedy called the Spanish Armada. Lord Burleigh is supposed to be too full of State affairs to utter a word; he shakes his head, and Puff explains what the shake means.
