This week’s theme
British streets that became words

This week’s words
Coronation Street
stepney
Pepper Alley
Carnaby
Acacia Avenue

---

A.Word.A.Day

PRONUNCIATION:

(PEP-uhr AL-ee)

MEANING:

noun:
1. Rough treatment.
2. Severe beating.

ETYMOLOGY:

After Pepper Alley, a street in London, UK. Earliest documented use: 1820.

NOTES:

The term arose as boxing slang, from the verb pepper, meaning to hit repeatedly. The phrase “to pay a visit to Pepper Alley” means to receive severe beating.

USAGE:

“Barlow came again to fight, but soon found himself in Pepper Alley.”
Henry Downes Miles; Pugilistica; Weldon; 1880.

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY: