blazes
Preserved but no longer current.
A low synonym for the infernal regions, and now almost for anything. "Like BLAZES" is a phrase of intensification applied without any reference to the original meaning. Also applied to the brilliant habiliments of flunkeys, since the episode of Sam Weller and the "swarry."
Era: ca. 1874 (Victorian)
Sources & notes
Historical definition reproduced from Hotten’s The Slang Dictionary (1874, public domain; Project Gutenberg #42108, retrieved 2026-07-31). Reflects the attitudes of its era.
Common questions
What does “blazes” mean?
A low synonym for the infernal regions, and now almost for anything. "Like BLAZES" is a phrase of intensification applied without any reference to the original meaning. Also applied to the brilliant habiliments of flunkeys, since the episode of Sam Weller and the "swarry."
Is “blazes” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.