Grub Street

American  

noun

1. a street in London, England: formerly inhabited by many impoverished minor writers and literary hacks; now called Milton Street.

2. petty and needy authors, or literary hacks, collectively.

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Grub Street British  

noun

1. a former street in London frequented by literary hacks and needy authors

2. the world or class of literary hacks, etc

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adjective

1. (sometimes not capital) relating to or characteristic of hack literature

Example Sentences

New York produces a biweekly print magazine, as well as digital content published under brands such as the Cut, Grub Street and Vulture.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 5, 2026

Much of the concern surrounding AI slop is overwrought, as low-quality mass-produced content has consistently accompanied technological innovation throughout history, from the printing press to Grub Street publications in the 1700s.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 5, 2025

The cronut officially became a major hit when Hugh Merwin wrote a glowing review of the dessert in New York Magazine's food and restaurant blog, Grub Street.

From Salon • Nov. 26, 2023

As the food blog Grub Street pointed out in 2019, some fanatics say it’s all about the tomatoes, while others maintain bacon is the VIP.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 31, 2021

It was in this Compter that Boyse, a true type of the Grub Street poet of Dr. Johnson's time, spent many of the latter days of his life.

From Old and New London Volume I by Thornbury, Walter