stink
Preserved but no longer current.
Meaning · English
A disagreeable exposure. "To stir up a STINK" is to make a disclosure which is generally unpleasant in its effect.
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 “stink” mean?
A disagreeable exposure. "To stir up a STINK" is to make a disclosure which is generally unpleasant in its effect.
Is “stink” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.