In the Laurel & Hardy silent short "Soup to Nuts" the hostess tells the hired help (Ollie) she wants the salad served without dressing. Ollie passes the word on to Stan-- by telling him to "serve the salad undressed."
The pretty girl domestic says "I always serve it that way." But Stan only goes as far as his long underwear. One of the guests gives him a funny look and Stan says, "Can you imagine my embarrassment?"
I have a hunch this was a catchphrase from advertising (newpaper/magazine?) for some personal or household product that would keep you from looking (or smelling?) bad in front of others. Anybody know?
Also, a later Charley Chase short was titled "Imagine My Embarrassment."
(From the early 1970s, I remember "Don't wait to be told you need Palmolive Gold" and "Ring around the collar!")