abandoned habits
English edit
Etymology edit
Pun on abandoned (“immoral”) habit and riding habit (“woman's garment for horseback riding”).
Noun edit
abandoned habits pl (plural only)
- (archaic, British slang) The clothing worn for horseback riding by the prostitutes on Lady's Mile in Hyde Park (the carriageway along the northern bank of the Serpentine).
References edit
- Albert Barrère and Charles G[odfrey] Leland, compilers and editors (1889–1890) “abandoned habits”, in A Dictionary of Slang, Jargon & Cant […], volumes I (A–K), Edinburgh: […] The Ballantyne Press, →OCLC, page 2.
- John S[tephen] Farmer, compiler (1890) “abandoned habits”, in Slang and Its Analogues Past and Present. […], volume I, [London: […] Thomas Poulter and Sons] […], →OCLC, page 3.