Victorian Slang That’ll Tickle Your Sauce Box
October 1, 2025
One of our writers recently shared a delightful Reader’s Digest article that took us on a stroll through the quirky corners of the English language.
Back in 1909, a British writer named James Redding Ware took it upon himself to preserve the wild and wonderful slang of the Victorian era — thousands of colorful expressions that would otherwise have been lost to time.
Among our favorites?
- Fly rink – A glossy bald head (we’ll never see a shiny dome the same way again).
- Sauce box – The mouth. Perfect for when someone’s being a bit too cheeky.
- Bags o’ Mystery – A satirical jab at sausages. After all, who really knows what’s in them?
- Gas pipes – Super-tight trousers that look more pipe than pant.
These gems are a reminder that language evolves, but a good turn of phrase never goes out of style.
We’re tempted to bring some of these back — anyone else ready to revive “fly rink” next time you see a particularly polished pate?
Words have a way of capturing the spirit of a time, and thanks to Ware’s efforts, we get to peek into the humor and creativity of everyday Victorians.
Got a favorite old-timey expression? Drop it in the comments — we’re all ears (and sauce boxes)!
