The following is a list of words and phrases frequently encountered
in Regency romance novels, along with their definitions and, where possible,
their origins. They are arranged alphabetically in Dictionary
form as well as grouped by subject in Thesaurus
form. This is a work in progress, so I will be adding new words and phrases
as they occur to me.
| abigail |
A lady's maid. Named for a character in Beaumont and Fletcher's The
Scornful Lady. |
| Almack's |
Exclusive assembly rooms in London. One required vouchers from one
of the Patronesses in order to attend. |
| ape leader |
A spinster or old maid. According to an old saying, their fate is leading
apes in hell. |
| assembly rooms |
Halls where dances, concerts and other social events were held. Most
towns had assembly rooms. The most famous is Almack's in London. |
| Astley's Royal Amphitheatre |
A circus in London featuring horseback riding, acrobats, clowns and
the like. |
| bacon-brained |
Foolish, stupid. |
| Banbury tale |
A roundabout, nonsensical story. |
| banns - reading the banns |
A notice of an impending marriage given on three consecutive Sundays
in one's parish church. If no one objected to the match during this period,
the marriage could procede. |
| barouche |
A type of carriage with four wheels, a folding hood, and two seats
facing each other inside. |
| barrister |
A lawyer who argues cases in court. See also solicitor. |
| Bartholomew baby |
A person dressed up in a tawdry manner, like the dolls sold at Bartholomew
Fair (a two-week festival celebrating the Feast of St. Bartholomew). |
| Bath chair |
Wheelchair. Probably named because they were used by many invalids
taking the waters in Bath. |
| bear leader |
A travelling tutor, who leads his charges as if they were trained bears. |
| Bedlam |
An insane asylum in London. The full name was the Hospital of Saint
Mary of Bethlehem. |
| bit o'muslin |
A woman of who gives sexual favors in exchange for payment. |
| bluestocking |
A lady interested in books, learning and scholarly pursuits. From the
so-called "Blue Stocking Society" which a group of society ladies began
in the 1750's to discuss literature and other matters. Interestingly, the
"blue stockings" were worn by a man -- Benjamin Stillingfleet, who was
asked to attend the group, but since he did not own formal evening dress
including the requisite black silk stockings, he wore his informal clothes
along with blue worsted stockings. |
| blunt |
Money. |
| bombazine |
A twilled or corded cloth made of silk and wool or cotton and wool,
often dyed black and used for mourning clothes. |
| Bond Street Beau |
A fashionable gentleman, as one might find on Bond Street in London. |
| Bow Street Runners |
A small force of detectives attached to the court at Bow Street who
investigated crimes. The Bow Street Runners were created by Henry and John
Fielding in 1753. They were disbanded under the Police Act of 1839. See
also constables. |
| breach of promise |
If one's intended broke off the engagement, one could sue for breach
of promise and receive moderate financial compensation. |
| breeches |
Short, close-fitting trousers that fastened just below the knees and
were worn with stockings. |
| brown - doing it much too brown |
To be roasted (i.e., browned), deceived, taken in. |
| brown study |
Said of one absent, in a reverie, or thoughtful. From the French expression
"sombre réverie." Sombre and brun both mean sad, melancholy, gloomy,
dull. |
| buckskins |
Fashionable trousers made from the skin of deer. |
| bumblebroth |
A tangled situation; a mess. |
| by-blow |
An illegitimate child. |
| cap - set one's cap |
Try to catch a sweetheart or a husband. A lady puts on her most becoming
cap to attract the gentleman's attention and admiration. |
| caps - pull caps |
To quarrel like two women, who pull each other�€™s caps. |
| cast up one's accounts |
To vomit. |
| cent per center |
Moneylender. From the French meaning "100 for every 100," in other
words interest equal to the amount of the principal. |
| chaise |
A light, open carriage, usually with a folding top. They generally
had two wheels and sat two people and were drawn by one horse. |
| Cheltenham tragedy |
To make a Cheltenham tragedy out of something is to make a big deal
out of nothing, or blow a situation out of proportion. This may be a reference
to the melodramas that were performed at Cheltenham spa. |
| chère-amie |
A gentleman's mistress. From the French for "dear friend." |
| chit |
A saucy, forward girl. |
| cicisbeo |
A married lady's admirer and escort. From the Italian. |
| Cit |
A resident of the City, the area of London where banks and businesses
are located. The term is used for members of the middle or merchant class,
often in a derogatory manner. |
| The City |
The area of London where the Bank of England, the Royal Exchange and
other financial institutions are located. It is bordered on the south by
the Thames and extends east to the Tower and west to the Temple Bar, covering
one square mile. Historically, it is the site of the original Roman settlement
of Londinium. |
| claret - draw someone's claret |
Give someone a bloody nose. |
| climbing boy |
A boy used by chimney sweeps to climb up into small, hard-to-reach
places. Regency heroines frequently rescue them. |
| come out |
A young lady's first entry into society. She would first be presented
at the Royal Court, and a ball would usually be held in her honor. Then
she would be free to attend society events and seek a husband. |
| congé |
To give someone her congé is to dismiss her. Especially used
for gentlemen and their mistresses. From the French meaning notice or leave. |
| consols |
Short for Consolidated Annuities. These were government securities
that paid a fixed rate of interest each year. |
| constables |
Peacekeeping officers appointed by the local magistrate to arrest criminals.
See also Bow Street Runners. |
| cork-brained |
Foolish, stupid. |
| Corn Laws |
Laws passed to put tariffs on imported corn in order to protect domestic
farmers. The result was exorbitant food prices that made it difficult for
working people to feed their families. The laws were repealed in 1846. |
| Corinthian |
A gentleman who is fashionable and adept at sporting activities. It
originally meant profligate, after the apparently elegant yet dissipated
lifestyle in ancient Corinth. |
| cotillion |
A French dance for four or more couples with complicated steps and
much changing of partners, led by one couple. |
| country-dance |
A dance of rural English origin in which partners face each other in
two long lines. |
| coxcomb |
A vain, conceited person. It formerly meant "fool," from the caps fools
wore with bells and a piece of red cloth on the top, in the shape of a
cock's comb. |
| cravat |
A gentleman's neckcloth made of starched linen that could be tied in
a variety of styles. |
| cups - in one's cups |
Inebriated, drunk. |
| curate |
A clergyman who assists a pastor, rector or vicar. |
| curricle |
A fashionable, sporty, two-wheeled carriage pulled by two horses. |
| cut, cut direct |
To cut someone is to refuse to recognize that person socially. The
cut
direct was the most blatant way -- one would look the other person
directly in the face but pretend not to know him. The cut indirect
involved simply looking another way, the cut sublime involved looking
up at the sky until the person passed, and the cut infernal involved
looking at the ground or stooping to adjust one's shoes. |
| Cyprian |
A woman of who gives sexual favors in exchange for payment; a mistress
or courtesan. Named for the island of Cyprus, famous for the worship of
Aprhrodite, goddess of love. |
| dandy |
A gentleman who is overly concerned with his dress and appearance. |
| demimonde, demimondaine |
A demimondaine is woman of who gives sexual favors in exchange for
payment; a mistress or courtesan. The demimonde refers to this class of
women. From the French literally meaning half world, or underworld. |
| Derby |
The major horse race in England, held at Epsom Downs in late May or
early June. Pronounced "Darby." |
| dernier cri |
The latest thing; the newest fashion. From the French meaning "the
last word." |
| diamond of the first water |
A very beautiful woman. From the term used for the jewel meaning a
diamond of the best color and most brilliant luster. |
| disguised |
Inebriated, drunk. |
| dowager |
A term used to refer to the widow of a peer -- e.g., the Dowager Countess
of Essex. Generally the term is only used if the current holder of the
title is married and therefore the female title (e.g., Countess of Essex)
is in use. |
| dower house |
A relatively small house on an estate to which the dowager would retire
when the new heir took up residence. |
| duenna |
Chaperone. From the Spanish. |
| dun territory |
In debt. The tradition is that it refers to Joe Dun, a famous bailiff
of Lincoln in the reign of Henry VII, who was famous for his skill at collecting
debts. Also possibly from the Anglo-Saxon "dunan" meaning din or clamour. |
| entail |
To limit the inheritance of property or title to a specific line of
heirs so that it cannot be passed to anyone else. An entailed estate usually
passes to the eldest son. |
| facing |
Material of a different color that shows when the cuffs and collar
are folded over. In the military, different colored facings implied different
regiments. |
| faradiddle |
Variation of "taradiddle" -- a falsehood or lie. |
| faro |
A card game in which players bet on the order that cards will appear
when dealt from the bottom of the deck. |
| fichu |
A piece of lace, muslin, or other cloth worn about the neck to preserve
a lady's modesty. From the French meaning neckerchief. |
| Fleet Prison, Fleet marriages |
Fleet Prison was a prison for debtors. Fleet marriages were clandestine
marriages that were performed at the prison without the need for licenses
or banns during the 17th and 18th centuries. The practice was ended with
the Marriage Act of 1753. |
| footpads |
Thieves in the streets, muggers. |
| fop |
A gentleman who dresses in excessively elaborate clothes and has affected
manners. |
| four-in-hand |
Driving a carriage pulled by four horses, an exercise requiring skill.
The Four-in-Hand Club was a notable club for gentlemen who were excellent
drivers. |
| foxed |
Inebriated, drunk. |
| frank |
A Member of Parliament, including peers in the House of Lords, could
frank letters -- mail them free of charge -- by affixing his personal seal
along with the word "frank" or "free." This practice continued until 1840,
when cheap postal rates were introduced. |
| freebooters |
A person who robs and plunderers, especially pirates and smugglers.
From the Dutch "vrijbuiter" and the German "freibeuter," meaning to rove
freely. |
| French leave |
To take French leave is to go off without taking leave of the company:
a saying frequently applied to persons who have run away from their creditors.The
allusion is to the French soldiers, who in their invasions take what they
require, and never wait to ask permission of the owners or pay any price
for what they take. |
| fribble |
An effeminate fop; a name borrowed from a celebrated character of that
kind, in the play Miss in her Teens (1746) by David Garrick. |
| Friday-faced |
A dismal countenance. Friday was a day of abstinence. |
| funds |
Government securities that could be purchased by investors. See also
consols. |
| fustian |
Bombast; made up of pompous, high-sounding language. Also a coarse,
heavy cloth made of cotton and flax. |
| gammon |
Nonesense, humbug (noun). To deceive, to tell lies (verb). |
| gig |
A light, two-wheeled, one-horse carriage especially used in the country. |
| greatcoat |
An outdoor overcoat usually with one or several capes around the shoulders. |
| green girl |
A young, inexperienced girl. |
| Gretna Green |
A town in Scotland just over the border from England where couples
would elope. A marriage could be obtained without a license, a clergyman,
a waiting period, or parental consent. The couple simply had to declare
their intention to marry in front of witnesses. The blacksmith in Gretna
Green was a popular place for marriages, hence the phrase "married over
the anvil." |
| grigs - merry as grigs |
A grig is a young eel. Possibly an allusion to their liveliness.
There was also a class of vagabond dancers and tumblers who visited ale-houses
called grigs. |
| groat |
An old English silver coin worth fourpence; a very small sum. "I don't
care a groat" = "I don't care at all." |
| gudgeon |
One who is easily imposed on or taken in. From the fish of that name,
which is easily caught. |
| gull, gulled |
A person who is easily cheated (noun). Deceived, cheated, imposed on
(verb). |
| hackney carriage |
A carriage for hire. A hackney is a horse for ordinary riding or driving,
from the town of Hackney near London known for its horses. |
| ha-ha |
A landscaping element consisting of a trench or ditch that cannot be
seen until one approaches it. Presumably named for the exclamation of surprise
one utters on encountering it. |
| half pay |
A military officer who was not on active duty received half his usual
pay. |
| harridan |
A bad-tempered, disreputable old woman. Probably from the French word
"haridelle" meaning a worn-out horse. |
| Hessian boots |
High boots coming to just below the knee that have tassels on the top.
Named for the German soldiers called Hessians who introduced them. |
| high in the instep |
Haughty or proud. |
| high ropes |
To be on the high ropes; to be in a passion. |
| Hoby |
A popular gentleman's bootmaker. |
| hoyden |
A tomboy; a girl who behaves in a boisterous and unladylike manner. |
| inexpressibles |
Breeches. So called because it was not considered polite for ladies
to mention them by name. |
| Jericho |
A place of concealment. To "wish someone at Jericho" is to want them
out of the way. The manor of Blackmore, near Chelmsford, was called Jericho,
and was one of the houses where Henry VIII visited his courtesans. |
| landau |
A four-wheeled carriage with two inside seats facing each other and
a top made in two parts that could be folded back. Named after Landau,
the German town where it was first made. |
| leading strings |
Strips of fabric on children's clothes to hold onto them and help them
walk. "Since I was in leading strings" = "Since I was a child." |
| leg-shackled |
Married. |
| Little Season |
A smaller version of the Season, when London society attended a variety
of entertainments. The Little Season took place from September to mid-November.
See also Season. |
| Long Meg |
A very tall woman. Long Meg of Westminster was a notorious woman from
the time of Henry VIII about whom a number of ballads and stories were
written. |
| loo |
A card game in which players who fail to take a trick pay forfeits
into a pool. |
| loose fish |
An unreliable sort. |
| maggot in one's head |
A strange notion or whim. |
| make a cake of oneself |
Make a fool of oneself. Possibly from "half-baked." |
| mail coach |
Coaches with regular routes and schedules that carried both mail and
passengers around the country. |
| mantua-maker |
A dressmaker. A mantua is an old type of gown, no longer worn in Regency
times. |
| Marriage Mart |
A term used for the London Season, when young ladies would seek mates. |
| mill |
A boxing match or fight. |
| modiste |
A dressmaker. From the French "mode" meaning style. |
| monkey |
£500 |
| more hair than wit |
Not very smart. |
| mushroom, pushing mushroom |
A person or family suddenly raised to riches and eminence: an allusion
to the fungus, which starts up in a night. |
| nabob |
A very rich man, especially one who acquired his fortune in India.
From the Hindustani word "nawab," term for a ruler in the Mogul Empire. |
| nankeen |
A strong, yellow or buff cotton cloth, originally made in Nanking,
China. |
| Newgate Prison |
The main prison in London, attached to the Old Bailey, where public
executions took place. |
| nonesuch |
One that is unequalled. There is none such as he. |
| on dit |
Gossip. From the French meaning "they say." |
| Original |
A lady with a unique style. |
| parson's mousetrap |
Marriage. |
| parti |
A person considered as a matrimonial match. From the French meaning
party or match. |
| Patroness of Almack's |
One of the society ladies who could give vouchers to hopefuls seeking
entree into the hallowed halls of Almack's. The patronesses were:
Lady Castlereagh; Lady Cowper; Mrs. Drummond Burrell; Princess Esterhazy;
Countess Lieven; Lady Jersey, and Lady Sefton. |
| pelisse |
A coat with armholes or sleeves worn by ladies over their dresses,
buttoning up the front, usually either full or three-quarter length. |
| phaeton |
A light, four-wheeled carriage with open sides, with or without a top,
with one or two seats, drawn by one or two horses. A high-perch phaeton
was a particularly dashing vehicle. From the Greek myth of Phaëthon,
who tried to drive the chariot of his father the Sun and nearly destroyed
the earth. |
| pockets to let |
Broke; without money. |
| pony |
£25 |
| post chaise |
A small closed carriage that could be rented for long journeys. |
| Pump Room |
The room at a watering place where one drank the curative mineral waters
and gossiped. The most famous is in Bath. |
| Quality |
The upper class of society. |
| quadrille |
A dance in square formation for four couples that usually has five
parts or movements. |
| quarter day |
The day at the end of each quarter during the year when rents were
due and allowances were received. |
| queer in the attic |
Peculiar or crazy. |
| Queer Street |
To be of doubtful solvency. To be one marked in a tradesman�€™s ledger
with a quære (inquire), meaning, make inquiries about this customer. |
| quizzing glass |
A single eyeglass or monocle. One used it to examine, or quiz, objects
or persons. |
| rag-mannered |
Ill-mannered. Presumably so named because one behaves with the poor
manners of lower classes. |
| rake |
A dissolute, profligate gentleman; one who indulges in vices such as
drinking, gambling and especially sexual conquests. From the Anglo-Saxon
"rakel" or "rackle" meaning rough and hasty. Possibly also a reference
to the fact that these gentlemen will rake, or search, hell in the afterlife. |
| reticule |
A purse usually made of cloth, often beaded, with a drawstring closure. |
| River Tick |
To be punting on the River Tick is to be in debt. In the seventeenth
century, ticket was the ordinary term for the written acknowledgment of
a debt, and one living on credit was said to be living on tick. |
| Rotten Row |
A path for horse riding in the southern part of Hyde Park. A corruption
of the phrase "route de roi" meaning King's Row in French. |
| sawyer - top sawyer |
One who excels at driving horses. |
| Season |
The prime time for social events for high society in London. The Season
began after Easter and lasted through June. A variety of entertainments
were held during this time, and it was a way for ladies to meet potential
mates. |
| sixes and sevens |
Confused or unsettled. From the Hebrew phrase �€œSix, yea seven,�€� meaning
an indefinite number, as in Job (v. 19), �€œHe [God] shall deliver thee in
six troubles, yea in seven.�€� |
| small clothes |
Knee-breeches, especially close-fitting ones. |
| Smithfield bargain |
A bargain whereby the purchaser is taken in. It is also used for marriages
contracted solely for monetary gain, a reference to women being bought
and sold like cattle in Smithfield. |
| snuff |
A powdered tobacco, often scented, usually taken into the nose. It
was usually carried in small, decorated containers called snuffboxes. |
| solicitor |
A lawyer who handles wills and estate matters. See also barrister. |
| sovereign |
In addition to the ruling monarch, a sovereign was also a gold coin
worth a pound. |
| Spanish coin |
Flattery. |
| spencer |
A short jacket worn by ladies. |
| special license |
A license issued by the Archbishop of Canterbury for a fee that allowed
a couple to marry at any time or place. |
| stick one's spoon in the wall |
To die. It originally meant "took up residence," from the fact that
in primitive times a leather strap was often nailed to the wall near the
fireplace as a place to keep items like spoons. It eventually came to mean
"die," presumably from taking up permanent residence in the afterlife. |
| tabby |
An old maid. Either from the (then) old-fashioned name Tabitha, or
from a tabby cat -- old maids being often compared to cats. |
| take |
A lady who did not "take" during her Season did not win any admirers
or suitors. |
| taradiddle |
A falsehood or lie. |
| Tattersall's |
A popular horse market in London. |
| toad eater |
A sychophant or flatterer; a toady. Either from the Spanish "todita,"
meaning factotum, or from the practice of charlatans who would have their
assistants eat toads in order to "cure" them of poison. |
| ton |
The ton was the high society of the Regency period. It is pronounced
like "tone," and it comes from the French word ton meaning "tone,
style." A person or action described as good ton was accepted by
Society. A person or action described as bad ton violated the unwritten
rules of Society and was deemed unacceptable. |
| touched in the upper works |
Crazy. |
| Town |
With a capital T, this always refers to London. |
| Town bronze |
Polish or style. |
| upper orders |
The highest level of society. |
| Vauxhall Gardens |
A pleasure garden across the Thames from fashionable London that offered
a variety of entertainments including music, dancing and elaborate fireworks
displays. There were also numerous dark walks suitable for assignations. |
| vingt-et-un |
The card game known as "21" or blackjack, where the object is to take
cards until one is as close as possible to 21 without going over. From
the French meaning twenty-one. |
| vouchers |
Vouchers were required to gain admittance to Almack's Assembly Rooms.
They could only be given out by one of the Patronesses. |
| vowels |
Papers indicating a debt that is owed. From the term I.O.U. |
| waltz |
The waltz was considered somewhat shocking because of the contact maintained
between the partners when it was introduced in England, but it soon became
quite popular. A lady required the consent of one of the Patronesses of
Almack's for her first waltz. |
| waters - taking the waters |
The waters in spa towns such as Tunbridge Wells and most notably Bath
were thought to have healing powers, so to "take the waters" means to either
drink or bathe in these mineral waters. |
| wear the willow |
To mourn the loss of a love or to be lovelorn. The willow tree is associated
with sorrow, e.g.: weeping willow. Willow garlands were symbols of being
forsaken in love. |
| Weston |
A popular gentleman's tailor. |
| whist |
A card game somewhat like bridge for two players. |
| barouche |
A type of carriage with four wheels, a folding hood, and two seats
facing each other inside. |
| chaise |
A light, open carriage, usually with a folding top. They generally
had two wheels and sat two people and were drawn by one horse. |
| curricle |
A fashionable, sporty, two-wheeled carriage pulled by two horses. |
| gig |
A light, two-wheeled, one-horse carriage especially used in the country. |
| hackney carriage |
A carriage for hire. A hackney is a horse for ordinary riding or driving,
from the town of Hackney near London known for its horses. |
| landau |
A four-wheeled carriage with two inside seats facing each other and
a top made in two parts that could be folded back. Named after Landau,
the German town where it was first made. |
| mail coach |
Coaches with regular routes and schedules that carried both mail and
passengers around the country. |
| phaeton |
A light, four-wheeled carriage with open sides, with or without a top,
with one or two seats, drawn by one or two horses. A high-perch phaeton
was a particularly dashing vehicle. From the Greek myth of Phaëthon,
who tried to drive the chariot of his father the Sun and nearly destroyed
the earth. |
| post chaise |
A small closed carriage that could be rented for long journeys. |
| bombazine |
A twilled or corded cloth made of silk and wool or cotton and wool,
often dyed black and used for mourning clothes. |
| breeches |
Short, close-fitting trousers that fastened just below the knees and
were worn with stockings. |
| buckskins |
Fashionable trousers made from the skin of deer. |
| cravat |
A gentleman's neckcloth made of starched linen that could be tied in
a variety of styles. |
| facing |
Material of a different color that shows when the cuffs and collar
are folded over. In the military, different colored facings implied different
regiments. |
| fichu |
A piece of lace, muslin, or other cloth worn about the neck to preserve
a lady's modesty. From the French meaning neckerchief. |
| greatcoat |
An outdoor overcoat usually with one or several capes around the shoulders. |
| Hessian boots |
High boots coming to just below the knee that have tassels on the top.
Named for the German soldiers called Hessians who introduced them. |
| Hoby |
A popular gentleman's bootmaker. |
| inexpressibles |
Breeches. So called because it was not considered polite for ladies
to mention them by name. |
| mantua-maker |
A dressmaker. A mantua is an old type of gown, no longer worn in Regency
times. |
| modiste |
A dressmaker. From the French "mode" meaning style. |
| nankeen |
A strong, yellow or buff cotton cloth, originally made in Nanking,
China. |
| pelisse |
A coat with armholes or sleeves worn by ladies over their dresses,
buttoning up the front, usually either full or three-quarter length. |
| quizzing glass |
A single eyeglass or monocle. One used it to examine, or quiz, objects
or persons. |
| reticule |
A purse usually made of cloth, often beaded, with a drawstring closure. |
| small clothes |
Knee-breeches, especially close-fitting ones. |
| spencer |
A short jacket worn by ladies. |
| Weston |
A popular gentleman's tailor. |
| Bond Street Beau |
A fashionable gentleman, as one might find on Bond Street in London. |
| cicisbeo |
A married lady's admirer and escort. From the Italian. |
| Corinthian |
A gentleman who is fashionable and adept at sporting activities. It
originally meant profligate, after the apparently elegant yet dissipated
lifestyle in ancient Corinth. |
| coxcomb |
A vain, conceited person. It formerly meant "fool," from the caps fools
wore with bells and a piece of red cloth on the top, in the shape of a
cock's comb. |
| dandy |
A gentleman who is overly concerned with his dress and appearance. |
| fribble |
An effeminate fop; a name borrowed from a celebrated character of that
kind, in the play Miss in her Teens (1746) by David Garrick. |
| fop |
A gentleman who dresses in excessively elaborate clothes and has affected
manners. |
| nabob |
A very rich man, especially one who acquired his fortune in India.
From the Hindustani word "nawab," term for a ruler in the Mogul Empire. |
| nonesuch |
One who is unequalled. There is none such as he. |
| rake, rakehell |
A dissolute, profligate gentleman; one who indulges in vices such as
drinking, gambling and especially sexual conquests. From the Anglo-Saxon
"rakel" or "rackle" meaning rough and hasty. Possibly also a reference
to the fact that these gentlemen will rake, or search, hell in the afterlife. |
| ape leader |
A spinster or old maid. According to an old saying, their fate is leading
apes in hell. |
| bluestocking |
A lady interested in books, learning and scholarly pursuits. From the
so-called "Blue Stocking Society" which a group of society ladies began
in the 1750's to discuss literature and other matters. Interestingly, the
"blue stockings" were worn by a man -- Benjamin Stillingfleet, who was
asked to attend the group, but since he did not own formal evening dress
including the requisite black silk stockings, he wore his informal clothes
along with blue worsted stockings. |
| chit |
A saucy, forward girl. |
| diamond of the first water |
A very beautiful woman. From the term used for the jewel meaning a
diamond of the best color and most brilliant luster. |
| dowager |
A term used to refer to the widow of a peer -- e.g., the Dowager Countess
of Essex. Generally the term is only used if the current holder of the
title is married and therefore the female title (e.g., Countess of Essex)
is in use. |
| green girl |
A young, inexperienced girl. |
| hoyden |
A tomboy; a girl who behaves in a boisterous and unladylike manner. |
| Long Meg |
A very tall woman. Long Meg of Westminster was a notorious woman from
the time of Henry VIII about whom a number of ballads and stories were
written. |
| Original |
A lady with a unique style. |
| tabby |
An old maid; either from Tabitha, a formal antiquated name; or else
from a tabby cat, old maids being often compared to cats. |
| blunt |
Money. |
| cent per center |
Moneylender. From the French meaning "100 for every 100," in other
words interest equal to the amount of the principal. |
| consols |
Short for Consolidated Annuities. These were government securities
that paid a fixed rate of interest each year. |
| dun territory |
In debt. The tradition is that it refers to Joe Dun, a famous bailiff
of Lincoln in the reign of Henry VII, who was famous for his skill at collecting
debts. Also possibly from the Anglo-Saxon "dunan" meaning din or clamour. |
| entail |
To limit the inheritance of property or title to a specific line of
heirs so that it cannot be passed to anyone else. An entailed estate usually
passes to the eldest son. |
| funds |
Government securities that could be purchased by investors. See also
consols. |
| half pay |
A military officer who was not on active duty received half his usual
pay. |
| monkey |
£500 |
| pockets to let |
Broke; without money. |
| pony |
£25 |
| quarter day |
The day at the end of each quarter during the year when rents were
due and allowances were received. |
| Queer Street |
To be of doubtful solvency. To be one marked in a tradesman�€™s ledger
with a quære (inquire), meaning, make inquiries about this customer. |
| River Tick |
To be punting on the River Tick is to be in debt. In the seventeenth
century, ticket was the ordinary term for the written acknowledgment of
a debt, and one living on credit was said to be living on tick. |
| sovereign |
In addition to the ruling monarch, a sovereign was also a gold coin
worth a pound. |
| Almack's |
Exclusive assembly rooms in London. One required vouchers from one
of the Patronesses in order to attend. |
| assembly rooms |
Halls where dances, concerts and other social events were held. Most
towns had assembly rooms. The most famous is Almack's in London. |
| Astley's Royal Amphitheatre |
A circus in London featuring horseback riding, acrobats, clowns and
the like. |
| Bedlam |
An insane asylum in London. The full name was the Hospital of Saint
Mary of Bethlehem. |
| The City |
The area of London where the Bank of England, the Royal Exchange and
other financial institutions are located. It is bordered on the south by
the Thames and extends east to the Tower and west to the Temple Bar, covering
one square mile. Historically, it is the site of the original Roman settlement
of Londinium. |
| Derby |
The major horse race in England, held at Epsom Downs in late May or
early June. Pronounced "Darby." |
| dower house |
A relatively small house on an estate to which the dowager would retire
when the new heir took up residence. |
| Fleet Prison; Fleet marriages |
Fleet Prison was a prison for debtors. Fleet marriages were clandestine
marriages that were performed at the prison without the need for licenses
or banns during the 17th and 18th centuries. The practice was ended with
the Marriage Act of 1753. |
| Gretna Green |
A town in Scotland just over the border from England where couples
would elope. A marriage could be obtained without a license, a clergyman,
a waiting period, or parental consent. The couple simply had to declare
their intention to marry in front of witnesses. Blacksmiths often served
as witnesses, hence the phrase "married over the anvil." |
| Newgate Prison |
The main prison in London, attached to the Old Bailey, where public
executions took place. |
| Pump Room |
The room at a watering place where one drank the curative mineral waters
and gossiped. The most famous is in Bath. |
| Rotten Row |
A path for horse riding in the southern part of Hyde Park. A corruption
of the phrase "route de roi" meaning King's Row in French. |
| Tattersall's |
A popular horse market in London. |
| Town |
With a capital T, this always refers to London. |
| Vauxhall Gardens |
A pleasure garden across the Thames from fashionable London that offered
a variety of entertainments including music, dancing and elaborate fireworks
displays. There were also numerous dark walks suitable for assignations. |
