TERMIUM Plus®

The Government of Canada’s terminology and linguistic data bank.

costermonger [1 record]

Filter results by subject field Alphabetical list of terms

Filter results by subject field

Alphabetical list of terms

Record 1 2007-04-27

English

Subject field(s)
  • Occupation Names (General)
  • Trade
  • Vegetable Crop Production
DEF

One who sells fruit, vegetables, fish, or other goods from a cart, barrow, or stand in the streets.

OBS

The term, which derived from the words costard (a type of apple) and monger, i.e. "seller," came to be particularly associated with the "barrow boys" of London who would sell their produce from a wheelbarrow or wheeled market stall. Costermongers have existed in London since at least the 16th century, when they were mentioned by Shakespeare. They probably were never more numerous than during the Victorian era, when there were said to be over 30,000 in 1860. They gained a fairly unsavoury reputation for their "low habits, general improvidence, love of gambling, total want of education, disregard for lawful marriage ceremonies, and their use of a peculiar slang language." [John Camden Hotten, The Slang Dictionary, 1859]

French

Domaine(s)
  • Désignations des emplois (Généralités)
  • Commerce
  • Production légumière
DEF

Marchand [...] qui vend des fruits, des légumes et qui transporte son éventaire dans une petite voiture.

Spanish

Campo(s) temático(s)
  • Nombramiento de cargos (Generalidades)
  • Comercio
  • Producción hortícola
Save record 1

Copyright notice for the TERMIUM Plus® data bank

© Public Services and Procurement Canada, 2024
TERMIUM Plus®, the Government of Canada's terminology and linguistic data bank
A product of the Translation Bureau

Display options

Change the order of display of the official languages of Canada
Option to display the non-official languages (Spanish or Portuguese)
Display definitions, contexts, etc., on records

Features

Language Portal of Canada

Access a collection of Canadian resources on all aspects of English and French, including quizzes.

Writing tools

The Language Portal’s writing tools have a new look! Easy to consult, they give you access to a wealth of information that will help you write better in English and French.

Glossaries and vocabularies

Access Translation Bureau glossaries and vocabularies.

Date Modified: