billingsgate

[ bil-ingz-geytor, especially British, -git ]

noun

1. coarsely or vulgarly abusive language.

   Synonyms: vilification, vulgarity, scurrility, invective, vituperation

billingsgate

¹

/ ˈbɪlɪŋzˌɡeɪt /

noun

1. obscene or abusive language

Billingsgate

²

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of billingsgate¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of billingsgate¹

C17: after Billingsgate , which was notorious for such language

Example Sentences

Harvey, the first woman to win the award since 2019, was announced as winner at a ceremony in London's Old Billingsgate, and will take home £50,000.

From BBC

Joshua and Dubois posed for a face-to-face at Monday's media day in London’s stylish Old Billingsgate venue, with Tower Bridge providing an iconic backdrop, to kick off fight week.

From BBC

Reacting to his win on stage at the award ceremony in Old Billingsgate, London, Lynch said it was with "immense pleasure" that he was taking the Booker back to Ireland.

From BBC

But there are also some great markets, like Billingsgate Fish Market, where we were able to source the seafood from or from Borough Market, which had a lot of specialty stuff, as well.

From Salon

The City of London deposited a Private Bill to Parliament last November for approval to move Smithfield and Billingsgate markets to Dagenham Dock.

From BBC