black fly
Preserved but no longer current.
Meaning · English
The greatest drawback on the farmer is the black fly, i.e. the parson who takes tithe of the harvest.
Era: ca. 1811 (Georgian)
Where it’s used:
Origin
British & Irish English
Sources & notes
Historical definition reproduced from Grose’s Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue (1811 edition, public domain; Project Gutenberg #5402, retrieved 2026-07-31). Reflects the attitudes of its era.
Common questions
What does “black fly” mean?
The greatest drawback on the farmer is the black fly, i.e. the parson who takes tithe of the harvest.
Is “black fly” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.