Grim's Dyke
Preserved but no longer current.
Also seen as: Grim's Ditch
The name given to the great fortified fosse which was probably built in prehistoric times by the first invaders from the Continent as a protection against the aborigines. It can still be traced along most of its length through the Chilterns.
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 “Grim's Dyke” mean?
The name given to the great fortified fosse which was probably built in prehistoric times by the first invaders from the Continent as a protection against the aborigines. It can still be traced along most of its length through the Chilterns.
Is “Grim's Dyke” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.