The Victorian era (1837-1901) was a golden age of slang. While we remember the Victorians for their stiff upper lips and strict morality, they also created wonderfully expressive, often hilarious words and phrases that have sadly fallen out of use. Here are the best Victorian slang terms that deserve a comeback in modern Britain.
Words for Talking and Social Interaction
Gal-sneaker
Definition: A man who devotes himself entirely to chasing women.
Modern equivalent: Player, ladies’ man
Why bring it back? It’s wonderfully descriptive and sounds vaguely criminal, which seems appropriate.
Gigglemug
Definition: Someone who always has a smile on their face.
Modern equivalent: Overly cheerful person
Why bring it back? Perfect for describing that annoyingly happy morning person in the office.
Butter Upon Bacon
Definition: Extravagance; something over the top.
Usage: “Adding a hot tub to your garden office? That’s butter upon bacon.”
Gas-pipe
Definition: Someone who tells secrets; a gossip.
Why bring it back? Because “gas-pipe” sounds much better than “blabbermouth.”
Wonderful Insults
Chuckaboo
Definition: An affectionate term for a close friend.
Usage: “Alright, my old chuckaboo!”
Whippersnapper
Definition: A young, inexperienced person who is overconfident.
Why bring it back? It’s still occasionally used, but deserves wider circulation. Perfect for commenting on young politicians.
Mutton Shunter
Definition: A policeman.
Why bring it back? Victorian criminals had dozens of creative names for police, and this is one of the best.
Podsnappery
Definition: The quality of being self-satisfied while refusing to acknowledge unpleasant facts.
Origin: From Dickens’ character Mr. Podsnap in “Our Mutual Friend”
Why bring it back? We’ve never needed this word more than we do today.
Saucebox
Definition: Someone who speaks impudently or cheekily.
Usage: “Don’t be such a saucebox with your grandmother!”
Tatur-Trap
Definition: The mouth.
Usage: “Shut your tatur-trap!”
Everyday Activities
Daddle
Definition: To walk unsteadily.
Usage: “After six pints, he daddled home.”
Enthuzimuzzy
Definition: Excessively enthusiastic.
Why bring it back? Perfect for describing overeager colleagues or annoying morning people.
Fizzing
Definition: First-rate, excellent.
Usage: “That curry was absolutely fizzing!”
Kruger-Spoof
Definition: To deceive or mislead.
Origin: Named after Paul Kruger, President of the South African Republic
Meater
Definition: A coward.
Usage: “Don’t be such a meater—just ask them out!”
Describing People
Arfarfan’arf
Definition: A drunkard.
Origin: From the half-and-half mixture of beer and porter
Usage: “Old Jenkins is a proper arfarfan’arf.”
Bags O’ Mystery
Definition: Sausages.
Why bring it back? Because we still don’t really know what’s in them.
Batty-Fang
Definition: To beat someone thoroughly.
Usage: “Arsenal got properly batty-fanged in the second half.”
Bricky
Definition: Brave or fearless.
Usage: “She’s absolutely bricky, standing up to the boss like that.”
Church-Bell
Definition: A talkative woman.
Note: Somewhat sexist, but could be applied to anyone.
Work and Money
Afternoonified
Definition: Smart, sophisticated, cultured.
Origin: As if dressed for an afternoon social call
Usage: “That new restaurant is very afternoonified.”
Got the Morbs
Definition: Feeling temporarily melancholy.
Why bring it back? We need more specific words for different types of sadness.
Nanty Narking
Definition: A great time, excellent fun.
Usage: “The pub quiz was nanty narking!”
Orf Chump
Definition: No appetite.
Usage: “I’m feeling orf chump today—just want some tea.”
Romance and Relationships
Cupid’s Kettle Drums
Definition: Breasts.
Why bring it back? Victorian innuendo is so much more creative than modern terms.
Fly Rink
Definition: A person considered shrewd or knowing.
Usage: “She’s a proper fly rink—won’t fall for that scam.”
Poked Up
Definition: Embarrassed.
Usage: “I was proper poked up when I realized my flies were undone.”
Spoony
Definition: Foolishly in love.
Usage: “He’s gone completely spoony over her.”
Wonderful Expressions
“Mind the Grease!”
Definition: Excuse me, coming through.
Why bring it back? Much more fun than “excuse me.”
“Take the Egg!”
Definition: You win! You’re the best!
Why bring it back? We need enthusiastic expressions of admiration.
“Not Up to Dick”
Definition: Not feeling well, below standard.
Usage: “I’m not up to dick today—might call in sick.”
“Shoot Into the Brown”
Definition: To fail miserably (from target shooting).
Usage: “That presentation really shot into the brown.”
How to Use Victorian Slang Today
Tips for incorporating these gems into modern conversation:
- Start small – Drop one or two into conversation naturally
- Context is key – Use them where the meaning is clear from context
- Embrace confusion – People asking “what does that mean?” is part of the fun
- Avoid the offensive – Some Victorian slang is genuinely problematic; these aren’t included here
- Have confidence – Say it like you mean it
Conclusion
The Victorians may have been buttoned-up in many ways, but their slang reveals a creative, playful side that delighted in wordplay and elaborate expressions. These words deserve resurrection—they’re more colorful than their modern equivalents and carry a delightful whiff of history.
So next time someone is being a proper gas-pipe about their workmate’s gal-sneaking behavior, or you’re feeling a bit orf chump and got the morbs, remember: the Victorians had a word for it. And it was probably better than whatever we’re using now.
Now stop being such a meater and start using these words. It’ll be absolutely fizzing, I promise.
