Slang often feels like the newest layer of language—informal, fast-changing, and shaped by modern culture. Yet many slang words have much deeper roots. Some can be traced back to the Middle Ages, where they were already in use, often with very different meanings. Drawing on Green’s Dictionary of Slang, this article explores a range of words that have travelled from the Middle Ages into modern slang.
Abbess and Abbot – starting in the 17th century and continuing into the 20th, an abbess was a term used to describe a woman who kept a brothel. An abbot could refer to a brothel-keeper’s husband or lover, and was also used to describe a prison warden.
Bishop – this word has been used in slang in several ways, mostly negative. In the 16th century, it could refer to a fly burnt in a candle flame, while in the 18th and 19th centuries, to bishop meant to burn something, while to be a bishop was to be a fraudster. By the 20th century, it had a new meaning as a broken signpost.
Blacksmith – in early 20th-century slang, this term could take on less reputable meanings: in the United Kingdom it could refer to a forger, in the United States a safecracker, and in Australia a bad cook.
Castle – in 19th-century American slang, this word could refer to a brothel.
Cathedral – in use between the late 17th and early 19th centuries, this term could describe something ancient or out-of-date.
Chivalry – a word associated with nobility and proper behaviour later became a euphemism for sexual intercourse in 19th-century England.
Dungeon – long associated with prisons, this word has also been used in the United States as slang for a school or a gun.
Friar Tuck – in parts of London over the last several decades, this term has been used to mean having sexual intercourse.
King – since the 19th century, this word could refer to a respected figure within a prison or someone who is excellent at what they do. Since the 1960s, it has also been used in the United States to describe a masculine lesbian.
Knight – this term has produced a wide range of slang meanings. In the 19th century, it could mean “a poor silly fellow” in Britain. A “Knight of Lombardy” referred to a pawnbroker, while earlier phrases like “Knight of the Road” meant a highwayman and “Knight of the Blade” a thug.
Lance-knight – in the late 16th century, this term referred to a highwayman or horse thief.
Mona Lisa – on occasion, this name has been used as slang for a freezer.
Monk – in the 19th and early 20th centuries, this was used as a term of contempt. It likely derives from monkey rather than the medieval religious profession.
Noble – in mid-20th-century America, this term could refer to a guard hired to protect strike-breakers.
Peasant – in 16th- and 17th-century England, this word could be used to refer to French people. By the 20th century, it had become a general term of contempt for someone seen as uncultured or unintelligent. In modern Australian prison slang, a “peasant” can refer to a new or gullible inmate.
Pope – Americans sometimes used this term to refer to an Irish person. Since the 18th century, the rump of a chicken or turkey has also been called the “Pope’s Nose.”
Queen – used since the 18th century as a positive term for a woman, this word also has older references as a term for a homosexual.
Scribe – by the 19th century, this word came to refer to a writer or journalist. Among African Americans in the 1930s and 1940s, it was also used to refer to a young woman.
Squire – in the 17th and 18th centuries, this could refer to someone who foolishly follows another. By the 19th century, it could also be used for a successful criminal.
Sword – going back to the 15th century and continuing to this day, the word could also mean a penis.
These examples show that slang is not just a modern phenomenon, but part of a much longer history of language. Words that we associate with the Middle Ages took on new meanings, and continue to reappear in unexpected ways centuries later. For those interested in exploring more, Green’s Dictionary of Slang offers a vast collection of historical expressions – check out their website or buy the book on Amazon.com.
Slang often feels like the newest layer of language—informal, fast-changing, and shaped by modern culture. Yet many slang words have much deeper roots. Some can be traced back to the Middle Ages, where they were already in use, often with very different meanings. Drawing on Green’s Dictionary of Slang, this article explores a range of words that have travelled from the Middle Ages into modern slang.
Abbess and Abbot – starting in the 17th century and continuing into the 20th, an abbess was a term used to describe a woman who kept a brothel. An abbot could refer to a brothel-keeper’s husband or lover, and was also used to describe a prison warden.
Bishop – this word has been used in slang in several ways, mostly negative. In the 16th century, it could refer to a fly burnt in a candle flame, while in the 18th and 19th centuries, to bishop meant to burn something, while to be a bishop was to be a fraudster. By the 20th century, it had a new meaning as a broken signpost.
Blacksmith – in early 20th-century slang, this term could take on less reputable meanings: in the United Kingdom it could refer to a forger, in the United States a safecracker, and in Australia a bad cook.
Castle – in 19th-century American slang, this word could refer to a brothel.
Cathedral – in use between the late 17th and early 19th centuries, this term could describe something ancient or out-of-date.
Chivalry – a word associated with nobility and proper behaviour later became a euphemism for sexual intercourse in 19th-century England.
Dungeon – long associated with prisons, this word has also been used in the United States as slang for a school or a gun.
Friar Tuck – in parts of London over the last several decades, this term has been used to mean having sexual intercourse.
King – since the 19th century, this word could refer to a respected figure within a prison or someone who is excellent at what they do. Since the 1960s, it has also been used in the United States to describe a masculine lesbian.
Knight – this term has produced a wide range of slang meanings. In the 19th century, it could mean “a poor silly fellow” in Britain. A “Knight of Lombardy” referred to a pawnbroker, while earlier phrases like “Knight of the Road” meant a highwayman and “Knight of the Blade” a thug.
Lance-knight – in the late 16th century, this term referred to a highwayman or horse thief.
Mona Lisa – on occasion, this name has been used as slang for a freezer.
Monk – in the 19th and early 20th centuries, this was used as a term of contempt. It likely derives from monkey rather than the medieval religious profession.
Noble – in mid-20th-century America, this term could refer to a guard hired to protect strike-breakers.
Peasant – in 16th- and 17th-century England, this word could be used to refer to French people. By the 20th century, it had become a general term of contempt for someone seen as uncultured or unintelligent. In modern Australian prison slang, a “peasant” can refer to a new or gullible inmate.
Pope – Americans sometimes used this term to refer to an Irish person. Since the 18th century, the rump of a chicken or turkey has also been called the “Pope’s Nose.”
Queen – used since the 18th century as a positive term for a woman, this word also has older references as a term for a homosexual.
Scribe – by the 19th century, this word came to refer to a writer or journalist. Among African Americans in the 1930s and 1940s, it was also used to refer to a young woman.
Squire – in the 17th and 18th centuries, this could refer to someone who foolishly follows another. By the 19th century, it could also be used for a successful criminal.
Sword – going back to the 15th century and continuing to this day, the word could also mean a penis.
These examples show that slang is not just a modern phenomenon, but part of a much longer history of language. Words that we associate with the Middle Ages took on new meanings, and continue to reappear in unexpected ways centuries later. For those interested in exploring more, Green’s Dictionary of Slang offers a vast collection of historical expressions – check out their website or buy the book on Amazon.com.
Also, check out 300+ Dirty, Sexy Words for Historical Writers by Danièle Cybulskie.
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