alexandra limp
Preserved but no longer current.
In the 60s of last century Queen Alexandra (then Princess of Wales) had a slight accident which for a time caused her to walk with an almost impercepti- ble limp. In a spirit of servile imitation many sf the women about the court adopted this method of walking, which hence became known as the "Alexandra limp.
Era: ca. 1898 (Victorian)
Sources & notes
Reproduced from Brewer’s Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (1898 edition, public domain; archive.org, retrieved 2026-07-31; OCR text, minor errors possible). Reflects the scholarship and attitudes of its era.
Common questions
What does “alexandra limp” mean?
In the 60s of last century Queen Alexandra (then Princess of Wales) had a slight accident which for a time caused her to walk with an almost impercepti- ble limp. In a spirit of servile imitation many sf the women about the court adopted this method of walking, which hence became known as the "Alexandra limp.
Is “alexandra limp” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.