FROM PUGS TO PUNCHES:
The Language of Victorian Era Boxing
To celebrate the release of the 6th Bow Street Society Mystery, The Case of The Pugilist’s Ploy, this month’s blog is an exploration of the fascinating world of Victorian Era slang and phrase. The language associated with boxing is particularly interesting as some phrases have entered general use, whilst others are still used in boxing today. To discover more, please check out my blog from February 2021: Up to Scratch: 5 Facts about Bare-Knuckle Boxing in the Victorian Era.
The Basics
Pugilist/Pugilism. Often shortened to pug, pugilist refers to the fighter (gloved and bareknuckle) and pugilism refers to the sport. Both are derived from the Latin pugil, meaning boxer, fist-fighter, which is, in turn, derived from the Latin pugnus, meaning fist.
The Fancy. Similar to dog-fanciers and pigeon-fanciers, i.e., those with a fondness for breeding dogs and pigeons, the fancy refers to those with a fondness for boxing.
Scratch. The line/mark in the centre of the ring where the fighters would meet at the commencement of a fight/round. The well-known phrase up to scratch is derived from a rule whereby the fighters had to return to the ring’s centre following the break between rounds. Failure to do so could result in their opponent being declared the victor.
Set-to. Boxing match. This is derived from the fighters being set to the scratch by their seconds.
Second. Derived from the Latin, secundus, with its origins in duelling. In those circumstances, the second was the representative of the principle (dueller) who carried the challenge, selected the ground, ensured the weapons were in order, and was responsible for all arrangements. A second in boxing is similar in that they are the representative and support of the fighter.
Bottle-holder. A provider of moral support to the fighter in the form of wiping off blood from their face, offering water from a bottle, and generally encouraging the fighter to continue and win.
General Slang Terms & Phrases
Have a turn. General term for a bout of fisticuffs. An example of its use would be, “I’d like to have a turn with him.”
Knock fairly silly. To beat thoroughly.
Knock-out. A disabling blow made out of guard on the chin that puts the receiver to sleep, thereby finishing the fight.
Knowledge-box. The head.
Sauce-box. The mouth.
Chuck up the bunch of fives. To die. The fives refers to one’s four fingers and thumb, whilst a bunch refers to one’s fist. The chuck up refers to the fact one’s fingers and fists become flaccid in death.
Permanent pug. The term given to a fighting man positioned at the door of the premises. A modern-day comparison could be a bouncer at a night club or pub.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this brief wander through the world of Victorian Era boxing. If it’s whetted your appetite for more, please check out my blog from February 2021 (see link above) and the 6th Bow Street Society Mystery, The Case of The Pugilist’s Ploy that is available now from your usual Amazon marketplace.
A massive thank you for supporting me in my writing journey, I wouldn’t be where I am without you. Have a merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year!
~ T.G. Campbell,December 2022
Sources of reference
Online Etymology Dictionary
https://www.etymonline.com/word/pugilism
Ware, J. Redding, The Victorian Dictionary of Slang & Phrase (Bodleian Library, University of Oxford, 2013) (originally published 1909)
LL.D., Cobham Brewer, Rev. E., A Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (Cassell and Company Ltd, London, Toronto, Melbourne and Sydney, 1894 edition)
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