Covent Garden nun

English

Etymology

A reference to the brothels and prostitutes that were once common in and around Covent Garden in London.

Noun

Covent Garden nun (plural Covent Garden nuns)

1. (archaic, British slang) A prostitute.

Synonyms

• nun (“prostitute”), see also Thesaurus:prostitute

Related terms

• Covent Garden abbess, Covent Garden ague

References

• Albert Barrère and Charles G[odfrey] Leland, compilers and editors (1889–1890) “Covent Garden nun”, in A Dictionary of Slang, Jargon & Cant […], volume I (A–K), Edinburgh: […] The Ballantyne Press, →OCLC, pages 275–276.
• John S[tephen] Farmer; W[illiam] E[rnest] Henley, compilers (1891) “Covent Garden nun”, in Slang and Its Analogues Past and Present. […], volume II, [London: […] Harrison and Sons] […], →OCLC, page 193.