The word "tawdry" meaning "cheap; trashy" comes from Saint Audrey (otherwise Etheldreda, Abbess of Ely c. 636 – June 23, 679 AD). An East Anglian princess, she developed a breast tumor, which she blamed on wearing rich necklaces of jewels as a child, and she died of it in 679.
In the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, women wore necklaces of silk, which they called "St Audrey's lace". Unfortunately, poor imitations of the lace drove out the good and the saint's name was used to describe something of a gaudy nature.
Source Nigel Rees Dictionary of Phrase & Fable
In the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, women wore necklaces of silk, which they called "St Audrey's lace". Unfortunately, poor imitations of the lace drove out the good and the saint's name was used to describe something of a gaudy nature.
Source Nigel Rees Dictionary of Phrase & Fable
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