Seamy Side
Preserved but no longer current.
The "wrong" or worst side; as the "seamy side of London," "the seamy side of life." In velvet, Brussels carpets, tapestry, etc., the "wrong" side shows the seams or threads of the pattern exhibited on the right side.
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 “Seamy Side” mean?
The "wrong" or worst side; as the "seamy side of London," "the seamy side of life." In velvet, Brussels carpets, tapestry, etc., the "wrong" side shows the seams or threads of the pattern exhibited on the right side.
Is “Seamy Side” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.