Meaning of Holywell Street | Babel Free

Definitions

A former street in central London, famed for selling pornography in Victorian times.

historical

Examples

“There are plenty of filthy books sold outside of Holywell-street, differing from many Holywell-street books, too, as having indecent insides as well as covers.”

“To impute to those who do not care for the Holywell Street literature of any time "the Puritanic squeamishness of an extremely moral undetected Tartuffe, acting as Aristarchus," is to be too zealous for unrighteousness.”

“As regards a so-called critic who should decry such a book as Holywell Street literature, and the like, I should have merely to say of him that I could desire no stronger proof of his incapacity in, and his unfitness for, the post to which he has elected himself.”

“Mr. Long's solicitor was careful to explain that “The Yoke” “is not a Holywell Street book.” We can only say for it that we defy Holywell Street to produce anything so foul. Holywell Street is a much cleaner street than it would be if it sold “The Yoke” […]”

CEFR level