churchwarden
Preserved but no longer current.
Meaning · English
A long pipe, "a yard of clay;" probably so called from the dignity which seems to hedge the smoker of a churchwarden, and the responsibility attached to its use. Sometimes called an Alderman.
Era: ca. 1874 (Victorian)
Where it’s used:
Origin
British & Irish English
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 “churchwarden” mean?
A long pipe, "a yard of clay;" probably so called from the dignity which seems to hedge the smoker of a churchwarden, and the responsibility attached to its use. Sometimes called an Alderman.
Is “churchwarden” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.