Cheesemongers

See also: cheesemongers

English

Etymology

So called after a relaxation of the social qualifications for recruitment, which meant that tradesmen (as opposed to gentlemen) could sign up.

Proper noun

the Cheesemongers

(UK, slang, obsolete) The Life Guards (British army regiment).

References

John Camden Hotten (1873) The Slang Dictionary
Nicknames of British Units during the Napoleonic Wars

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