shandy-gaff
Preserved but no longer current.
Meaning · English
Ale and gingerbeer. Origin unknown, but use very common.
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 “shandy-gaff” mean?
Ale and gingerbeer. Origin unknown, but use very common.
Is “shandy-gaff” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.