or wench, subs. phr. (old).—A harlot: see TART. In old London the neighbourhood of the theatres was likewise the quarter of the STEWS (q.v.)—notably BANKSIDE, Southwark; and in later days, Covent Garden and Drury Lane.
1599. JONSON, Every Man out of his Humour, v. 5. Some cunning woman here o’ the BANK-SIDE. Ibid. (1614), Bartholomew Fair, v. 3. Leander I make a dyer’s son about Puddle-wharf: and Hero a WENCH of the BANKSIDE.
1633. MASSINGER, A New Way to Pay Old Debts, iv. 2. You lodged upon the BANKSIDE.
1638. RANDOLPH, The Muse’s Looking-Glass [DODSLEY, A Select Collection of Old Plays (REED), ix, 206].
| Come, I will send for a whole coach or two | |
| Of BANK-SIDE LADIES, and we will be jovial. |
1721. STRYPE, Eccl. Mem. II. i. 17. 142. The BANK-SIDE where the Stews were.
