abandoned habits

English

Etymology

Pun on abandoned (“immoral”) habit and riding habit (“woman's garment for horseback riding”).

Noun

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

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.

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