Charles A
Preserved but no longer current.
Meaning · English
Meals that their insignia be the "Ace of Diamonds, less the Ace." Originally there was a white "5" in the centre. This was removed when they reached France.
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 “Charles A” mean?
Meals that their insignia be the "Ace of Diamonds, less the Ace." Originally there was a white "5" in the centre. This was removed when they reached France.
Is “Charles A” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.