tiger
Preserved but no longer current.
Meaning · English
A parasite; also a term for a ferocious woman; a boy employed to wait on gentlemen—one who waits on ladies is a page.
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 “tiger” mean?
A parasite; also a term for a ferocious woman; a boy employed to wait on gentlemen—one who waits on ladies is a page.
Is “tiger” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.