billingsgate

See also: Billingsgate

English

Etymology

From the London, England fishmarket Billingsgate: "Billingsgate is the market where the fishwomen assemble to purchase fish; and where, in their dealings and disputes they are somewhat apt to leave decency and good manners a little on the left hand." (Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue, 1811).

Noun

billingsgate

1. Profane, abusive language; coarse words.

   You wouldn't have believed the billingsgate which poured forth from that boy's mouth.

   • 1898, George Saintsbury, A Short History of English Literature:

     These "flytings" consisted of alternate torrents of sheer Billingsgate poured upon each other by the combatants.

Verb

billingsgate (third-person singular simple present billingsgates, present participle billingsgating, simple past and past participle billingsgated)

1. (transitive) To use abusive language towards.
   • 1905, Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, volume 177, page 99:

     On the other hand, the Englishman has the satisfaction of Billingsgating to his heart's content the highest officials: they accept objurgation with spaniel fawning.