billingsgate
[bil-ingz-geyt or, esp. British, -git]
- coarsely or vulgarly abusive language.
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Origin of billingsgate
First recorded in 1645–55; orig. the kind of speech often heard at Billingsgate, a London fish market at the gate of the same name
Synonyms
See more synonyms for billingsgate on Thesaurus.comvituperation, vilification, invective, scurrility, vulgarity.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for billingsgate
Historical Examples
"I don't choose to descend to Billingsgate," said Sir Francis.
Kept in the DarkAnthony Trollope
"That'll do, Forsythe," said Sampson, interrupting the flow of billingsgate.
The Wreck of the TitanMorgan Robertson
Listen to the young woman, you Mackrell, or you'll get Billingsgate!
The Amazing Marriage, CompleteGeorge Meredith
They talk forever and forever, and that is the kind of billingsgate they use.
The Innocents AbroadMark Twain (Samuel Clemens)
Lady Mallowe's temper was as elemental as any Billingsgate could provide.
T. TembaromFrances Hodgson Burnett
billingsgate
- obscene or abusive language
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Word Origin
C17: after Billingsgate, which was notorious for such language
Billingsgate
- the largest fish market in London, on the N bank of the River Thames; moved to new site at Canary Wharf in 1982 and the former building converted into offices
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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for billingsgate
n.
1670s, the kind of coarse, abusive language once used by women in the Billingsgate market on the River Thames below London Bridge.
Billingsgate is the market where the fishwomen assemble to purchase fish; and where, in their dealings and disputes they are somewhat apt to leave decency and good manners a little on the left hand. ["Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue," 1811]
The place name is Old English Billingesgate, "gate of (a man called) Billing;" the "gate" probably being a gap in the Roman river wall. The market is mid-13c., not exclusively a fish market until late 17c.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper