English · Slang Historical

purl

Preserved but no longer current.

Meaning · English

Ale in which wormwood has been infused, or ale and bitters drunk warm.

Era: ca. 1811 (Georgian)

Where it’s used: Origin British & Irish English

Sources & notes

Historical definition reproduced from Grose’s Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue (1811 edition, public domain; Project Gutenberg #5402, retrieved 2026-07-31). Reflects the attitudes of its era.

Topics: Historical slang (1800s)

Common questions

What does “purl” mean?

Ale in which wormwood has been infused, or ale and bitters drunk warm.

Is “purl” formal or informal?

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

👁 Views 0 today 0 past 7 days 0 this month 0 all time