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Ah, the Victorian Era — a time renowned for structured society, elaborate clothing, and stringent social codes. Yet, beneath the veneer of formality lay a culture of incredibly vibrant and rapidly shifting slang. That’s right, even during Queen Victoria's long reign, people found creative ways to inject humor and irreverence into the English language.
A Brief History of Victorian Slang
The Victorian era covers the period from 1837 to 1901. The linguistic innovators of the day frequently invented new and imaginative phrases to discuss their romantic lives, difficult employers, exciting social outings, and everyday troubles. Slang allowed people to use opaque, coded language to communicate specific emotions and circumstances with their peers.
Victorian slang was constantly in flux. New vocabulary and expressions would enter the language and spread quickly, often through popular songs, stage performances, and published literature of the time. Just as swiftly as new slang terms emerged, they would fade away, replaced by the next fashionable expression. Sound familiar?
Although most of these phrases have fallen out of common usage today, many still serve as surprisingly accurate and charming descriptions of the people and situations we encounter in the modern world. Here is a curated selection of slang words and phrases coined during the Victorian era that you can start using again today.
1. Got the morbs
This phrase was used to describe the feeling of being temporarily melancholic or downcast, with "morbs" being a truncation of "morbidness" or "morbid feelings.” Today, we would simply say we’re "bummed out" or "feeling blue.”
2. Tickety-boo
Generally, any word containing the sound "boo" cannot be entirely negative! This delightful term means "in good order or satisfactory condition." To express this today, we might use phrases like “all good” or “shipshape.”
3. Nanty Narking
Used to express that one is having an exceptionally good time, perhaps almost too much fun. The word "nanty" is possibly derived from the Welsh word "nant" (meaning "stream" or "brook"), while "narking" originally meant "annoying" or "irritating." Today we might describe someone who reaches this level of enjoyment as "whooping it up."
4. Lollygag
This word is inherently amusing to pronounce. It means to intentionally delay something by wasting time, idling, or dawdling.
5. Afternoonified
A very elegant way of suggesting that something is, well, sophisticated. During the Victorian era, the leisurely tradition of taking afternoon tea became a mark of status, so to be "afternoonified" meant being associated with this refined and leisurely lifestyle.
6. Enthuzimuzzy
This is a humorous and slightly mocking way of referring to someone who is overtly enthusiastic or intensely passionate about a topic. Today, we might say someone is "jazzed" about something. (Jazz hands are entirely optional.)
7. Skilamalink
Often used to describe behavior that is dishonest or underhanded, such as cheating during games or swindling someone out of money. It could also refer to a person who was remarkably clever and strategic, able to outsmart others through cunning. Being called "shady" would be a close contemporary comparison.
8. Balderdash
This evocative term was used to immediately dismiss someone’s statement as absurd, nonsensical, or completely untrue. Today we might call a similar proclamation "fake news" or "nonsense."
9. Scuttlebutt
The origin of this word refers to a cask or barrel (called a "butt") used to store drinking water on ships. To access the water, sailors would "scuttle" or cut a hole, often exchanging news and gossip while gathered there. This is similar to today’s reference to "watercooler gossip" or just "the latest rumor."
10. Gigglemug
Describes a person who has a constantly smiling or grinning face, or who appears foolishly, overly happy. Just saying this word tends to make us a "gigglemug," so we are determined to champion its revival.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why did slang evolve so rapidly during the Victorian Era?
Slang evolved quickly due to rapid urbanization and social change. New words spread easily through popular media, music, and the increased interaction among different social classes in crowded cities. This created a need for coded language to discuss forbidden topics or simply to fit in.
What is the meaning of "got the morbs"?
"Got the morbs" is an abbreviation of 'morbid feelings' and means to be temporarily sad, melancholic, or bummed out. It describes a transient feeling of low spirits.
Can I use Victorian slang in modern conversation?
While most terms are obsolete, you can certainly use them for humor and descriptive effect. Phrases like "lollygag" or "balderdash" are still easily understood in context and add a playful, distinctive flair to your speech.
Where did the word "scuttlebutt" originate?
"Scuttlebutt" originated on ships. It refers to the cask or barrel (a "butt") where drinking water was stored. Sailors would gather there to "scuttle" (cut a hole) for water, and this spot became the center for exchanging gossip and news, similar to a modern "watercooler."