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

Another night we went together over to the Queen's Shades, near Billingsgate.

From Project Gutenberg

There is a keen pleasure you wot not of, my lad, in listening to Billingsgate and Spitalfields howl maledictions upon you.

From Project Gutenberg

The practice is only a modification of Billingsgate, cover it with what elegant device we may.

From Project Gutenberg

It is not yet quite a score of years since the present Billingsgate Market was completed.

From Project Gutenberg

Billingsgate fought that hard battle against royalty with great resolution, and ultimately won.

From Project Gutenberg