English · Slang Historical

side

Preserved but no longer current.

Meaning · English

An affirmative expression in the cant language of the northern towns. "Do you stoll the gammy?" (Do you understand cant?) "SIDE, cove" (yes, mate).

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.

Topics: Historical slang (1800s)

Common questions

What does “side” mean?

An affirmative expression in the cant language of the northern towns. "Do you stoll the gammy?" (Do you understand cant?) "SIDE, cove" (yes, mate).

Is “side” formal or informal?

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

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