Rag and Famish

In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.

Sense 1

Meaning · English

The Army and Navy Club in London, England.

Register: slang

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

the Army and Navy Club. From Ensign RAG and Captain FAMISH, imaginary characters, out of whom Leech some years back obtained much amusement.

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 “Rag and Famish” mean?

The Army and Navy Club in London, England.

Is “Rag and Famish” formal or informal?

Rag and Famish is generally slang.