Billingsgate

the London wholesale fishmarket. Billingsgate is situated on the Thames, a little below London Bridge. In 1558 the wharf was declared a landing place for provisions. It was made a special fishmarket in 1699. All fish is free to land without duty if taken by British subjects and brought in British ships. Retail dealers and fish peddlers of every degree throng the stalls of the fishmarket to purchase a supply for their day's sales. Billingsgate wharf is the oldest wharf on the Thames. The fishmarket is one of the sights of London. The annual consumption of the city given in round numbers mounts up to 3,000,000 salmon; 1,200,000 lobsters; 500,000,000 oysters; and other fish to the weight of 400,000,000 pounds. The statement seems almost incredible, but sales of meat and poultry in the other markets of the city correspond. "Billingsgate" is a traditional name given to the language of the market. It has a reputation for raciness and force, rather than elegance. See London