tape
Preserved but no longer current.
Meaning · English
Gin,—term with female servants. Also, a military term used in barracks when no spirits are allowed. See RIBBON.
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 “tape” mean?
Gin,—term with female servants. Also, a military term used in barracks when no spirits are allowed. See RIBBON.
Is “tape” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.