Noun | Historical Slang / Occupation
Encyclopedia of British Slang
TOSHERS
Noun | Neutral | Historical Slang / Occupation
TOSHERS Pronunciation: /’t??-?z/ Part of Speech: Noun Severity Level: Neutral Category: Historical Slang / Occupation
Core Definition
Toshers were:
19th-century Londoners who scavenged valuables from sewers
Linguistic Origins
Derived from tosh, meaning valuables or copper items.
Associated with Victorian underclass life.
Usage Contexts
Historical:
London toshers.
It reflects urban hardship.
Emotional Register
Historical.
Gritty.
Final Assessment
Toshers capture industrial underclass survival.
Vividly.
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