Also 3 Bellingesȝate, 7 Bellings gate, Belin’sgate, 7–8 Billinsgate. [The proper name (presumably from a personal name Billing) of one of the gates of London, and hence of the fish-market there established. The 17th-c. references to the ‘rhetoric’ or abusive language of this market are frequent, and hence foul language is itself called ‘billingsgate.’]
1. One of the gates of the city of London; the fish-market near it; the latter noted for vituperative language.
c. 1250. Lay., 15070. And ladde to Londene … bisides Bellinges-ȝate [c. 1205 Bælȝes-].
1585. Pilkington, Exp. Nehem. (1841), 345. The gates of cities have their names … of them that builded them, as Lud-gate and Billings-gate, of Lud and Billinns.
1658. R. Newcourt, Title Map Lond. Billings gate Founded by Belen ye 23th Brittish Kinge.
1672. Marvell, Reh. Transp., I. 167. There is not a scold at Billinsgate but may defend herself.
1705. Hickeringill, Priest-cr., I. (1721), 56. The Rhetorick of Billingsgate, viz. Lying and Slandering.
1795. Windham, Speeches Parl. (1812), I. 266. Some charges can no more be replied to, than the scolding of a fishwoman in Billingsgate.
1848. Thackeray, Van. Fair, xiii. Mr. Osborne … cursed Billingsgate with an emphasis worthy of the place.
b. attrib. (in reference to language.)
1652. Culpepper, Eng. Physic. With down-right Billingsgate-Rhetoric.
1726. Amherst, Terræ Filius, x. 48. I know nothing that he is fit for, but Billinsgate sermons.
1750. Wesley, Wks. (1872), IX. 87. Low, Billingsgate invectives.
2. Scurrilous vituperation, violent abuse.
1676. Wycherley, Pl.-Dealer, III. i. (1678), 35. With sharp Invectives—Wid. (Alias Belin’sgate).
1710. Shaftesb., Charac. (1737), III. ii. 15. Philosophers and Divines, who can be contented to … write in learned Billinsgate.
1799. T. Jefferson, Writ. (1859), IV. 289. We disapprove the constant billingsgate poured on them officially.
1867. Freeman, Norm. Conq. (1876), I. App. 625. This is mere Billingsgate.
† 3. A clamoring foul-mouthed person, a vulgar abuser or scold. Obs.
1683. Tryon, Way to Health, 48. Neither have we any Billings-gates, all that sort of People are our hewers of VVood and drawers of Water.
1715. Bowes’ Trag., in Yorksh. Anthol. (1851), 18. Words not fit for a Billingsgate.
1721–90. Bailey, Billingsgate, a scolding impudent Slut.
Hence † Billingsgate v. rare. † Billingsgatry, scurrilous language.
1673. Remarks upon Rem., 56 (Boucher). A great deal of Billingsgatry against poets.
1715. A. Littleton, Lat. Dict., To Billingsgate it. Arripere maledictum ex trivio.
