costermonger

[ kos-ter-mong-ger, -muhng-, kaw-ster- ]

noun

1. Also called cos·ter [kos, -ter, kaw, -ster]. a hawker of fruit, vegetables, fish, etc.

verb (used without object)

1. to sell fruit, vegetables, fish, etc., from a cart, barrow, or stall in the streets.

costermonger

/ ˈkɒstəˌmʌŋɡə /

noun

1. rare.
   a person who sells fruit, vegetables, etc, from a barrow

Word History and Origins

Origin of costermonger¹

First recorded in 1505–15; earlier costerdmonger; costard, monger

Word History and Origins

Origin of costermonger¹

C16: coster-, from costard + monger

Example Sentences

“If someone’s fruit went off, or the donkey was ill, or something like that,” said Mr. Bennett, describing how the costermongers would have a singalong and pass around a bucket for donations.

From New York Times

London’s filthy streets were a bedlam of costermongers, urchins, coffee wagons and tall-hatted bobbies.

From New York Times

Mayhew has a special affinity for “street folk”, in particular London’s costermongers:

From The Guardian

What does Sir Roger himself make of the idea that a costermonger might have got there before him, in the 18th Century?

From BBC

Amongst costermongers this term is invariably applied to ladies, or the wives of tradesmen and females, generally of the classes immediately above them.”

From Salon