billingsgate

American  

[bil-ingz-geyt, -git] / ˈbɪl ɪŋzˌgeɪt, -gɪt /

noun

1. coarsely or vulgarly abusive language.

   Synonyms:

   vulgarity, scurrility, invective, vilification, vituperation

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Billingsgate ¹ British  

/ ˈbɪlɪŋɡzˌɡeɪt /

noun

1. 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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billingsgate ² British  

/ ˈbɪlɪŋzˌɡeɪt /

noun

1. obscene or abusive language

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Etymology

Origin of billingsgate

First recorded in 1645–55; originally the kind of speech often heard at Billingsgate, a London fish market at the gate of the same name

Example Sentences

He never paused to weigh his words when he assailed an opponent, believing that in politics billingsgate is the gate of success.

From Project Gutenberg

The two women recommenced their billingsgate, the boy stuttered, the soldiers laughed, and the dog howled.

From Project Gutenberg

The appearance is, that her social walk was wide away from the purlieus of common mundane diabolism and billingsgate.

From Project Gutenberg

Their weapons were “loathsome billingsgate and brutality,” and “sublime bathos.”

From Project Gutenberg

Turmoil and billingsgate slang were unknown in the halls of legislation.

From Project Gutenberg