Fishwife
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This article is about the definition. For the rock band, see Fishwife (band).
A fishwife or fish fag is a woman who sells fish. [1] Such women were notoriously loud and foul-mouthed as in the proverb, To swear like a fishwife.
[edit] Billingsgate
London's traditional fish market was frequented by such types who were known as "the wives of Billingsgate". It is thought that they were descendants of devotees of the God, Belin who was worshipped there at one time. "They dressed in strong 'stuff' gowns and quilted petticoats; their hair, caps and bonnets were flattened into one indistinguishable mass upon their heads. ... They smoked small pipes of tobacco, took snuff, drank gin and were known for their colourful language."[2]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Oxford English Dictionary. Retrieved on 2008-04-27. “A woman who sells fish”
- ^ Peter Ackroyd (2003). London: The Biography. Anchor. ISBN 0385497717.
