civvy street en · NOUN
Pronunciation
- /ˈsɪvi ˌstɹit/ (General-American)
- (Southern-England) audio
- /ˈsɪvi stɹiːt/ (Received-Pronunciation)
- (General-American) audio
Etymology
From civvy (“(informal) civilian”, adjective and noun) + street.
Meanings
-
(UK, slang, uncountable) The condition or status of a civilian; civilian life.
You might have been in Civvy Street / Instead of in the fight; / But it serves you right, / You shouldn't have joined [the navy], / It jolly well serves you right.
1943 November, Desmond Cox, Harold Elton Box, “It Serves You Right (You Shouldn’t Have Joined)”, in Bell-Bottom George (released 7 February 1944; soundtrack), performed by George Formby:In civvy street he had been a bus cleaner.
2002, Sam Smith, Vera and Eddy’s War, Nibley, South Gloucestershire: BeWrite Books, →ISBN:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civvy Street | alternative | lexicographic |
Translations (3)
fi siviilielämä (condition or status of a civilian) · ru гражда́нка (condition or status of a civilian) · pl życie w cywilu (condition or status of a civilian)