dirt
Preserved but no longer current.
Meaning · English
TO EAT, an expression derived from the East, nearly the same as "to eat humble (Umble) pie," to put up with a mortification or insult.
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 “dirt” mean?
TO EAT, an expression derived from the East, nearly the same as "to eat humble (Umble) pie," to put up with a mortification or insult.
Is “dirt” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.