English · Slang Historical

constable

Preserved but no longer current.

Meaning · English

"to overrun the CONSTABLE," to exceed one’s income, or get deep in debt. The origin of this phrase is unknown, but its use is very general.

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.

Topics: Historical slang (1800s)

Common questions

What does “constable” mean?

"to overrun the CONSTABLE," to exceed one’s income, or get deep in debt. The origin of this phrase is unknown, but its use is very general.

Is “constable” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.

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