subs. and adj. (old colloquial).—Generic for disorder and loose-living. [See quot. 1822.] Thus HOUSE IN THE SUBURBS = a brothel; SUBURB-WENCH (DRAB, SINNER, etc.) = a whore; SUBURB (= wanton) TRICKS; SUBURB (= blackguard) HUMOUR; MINION OF THE SUBURBS = a stallion (q.v.); SUBURB-TRADE = harlotry; SUBURB-JUSTICE = ‘money is right’; SUBURB-GARDEN (or GARDEN-HOUSE) = a petite maison: (a) a lodging for a KEEP (q.v.), and (b) a private FUCKERY (q.v.); SUBURBAN-ROARER = a bawdy-house bully. See quots.

1

  1583.  P. STUBBES, The Anatomie of Abuses, p. 57. In the fields and SUBURBES of the cities, they have gardens wherein they may (and doubtless do) many of them play the filthy persons.

2

  1598.  JONSON, Every Man in his Humour, i. 2. It will do well for a SUBURB HUMOUR.

3

  1603.  SHAKESPEARE, Measure for Measure, i. 2. Bawd. But shall all our houses of resort in the SUBURBS be pull’d down?

            Ibid. (1607), Julius Cæsar, ii. 1.
                Dwell I but in the SUBURBS
Of your good pleasure? If it be no more,
Portia is Brutus’ harlot, not his wife.

4

  1605.  The London Prodigal, v. 1. M. Flow. Now, God thank you, sweet lady. If you have any friend, or GARDEN-HOUSE … I am yours to command in all secret service.

5

  1607.  BEAUMONT, The Woman-Hater, ii. This is no GARDEN-HOUSE, in my conscience she went forth with no dishonest intent.

6

  1614.  JONSON, Bartholomew Fair, ii. 1. Ay, ay, gamesters, mock a plain, plump, soft WENCH OF THE SUBURBS, do; because she’s juicy and wholesome.

7

  1632.  MASSINGER, The Emperor of the East, i. 2.

          Infor.  The MINION OF THE SUBURBS.
  Pul.  What hath he
To do in Constantinople?
    Ibid. (1659). The City Madam, iii. 1.
I know them, swaggering, SUBURBAN ROARERS,
Sixpenny truckers.

8

  1632.  ROWLEY, A New Wonder, i.

        Come, we’ll dine together; after walk abroad
Unto my SUBURB GARDEN, where, if thou’lt hear,
I’ll read my heart to thee.

9

  1633.  MARMION, A Fine Companion, iv. 1. There’s a wench has her SUBURB TRICKS about her, I warrant you.

10

  1640.  R. BROME, The Sparagus Garden, ii. 3. Some SUBURBE JUSTICE that sits o’ the skirts o’ the city and lives by’t.

11

  1661.  MIDDLETON, The Mayor of Quinborough, iii. 1 [DODSLEY, Old Plays (REED), xi. 120].

                    Man; who in some GARDEN-HOUSE,
Or remote walk, taking his lustful time,
Blinds darkness on her eyelids, surprizes her.

12

  1678.  COTTON, Scarronides, or, Virgil Travestie (1770), 132.

        Or else some dirty SUBURB DRAB
Has helpt the Rascal to a Clap.

13

  1682.  A. RADCLIFFE, The Ramble, 25. ‘The Poor Whore’s Song.’

        A Guiney to me was no more
Than Fifteen Pence to a SUBURB WHORE.

14

  1822.  NARES, Glossary, s.v. SUBURBS. In the SUBURBS the citizens had their GARDENS and banqueting HOUSES, where, unless they are much slandered, many intrigues were carried on.

15