mermaid tavern: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very Low (C2/Historic/Literary)Literary, Historical, Academic
Quick answer
What does “mermaid tavern” mean?
A specific, historically famous tavern in London (c. 1415–1666) known as a meeting place for the 'Fraternity of Sireniacal Gentlemen,' including prominent literary figures like William Shakespeare, Ben Jonson, and Sir Walter Raleigh.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A specific, historically famous tavern in London (c. 1415–1666) known as a meeting place for the 'Fraternity of Sireniacal Gentlemen,' including prominent literary figures like William Shakespeare, Ben Jonson, and Sir Walter Raleigh.
It has become a metonym for a convivial gathering of writers, poets, and wits; a symbol of Elizabethan and Jacobean literary society and bohemian intellectual camaraderie.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is equally obscure in both varieties but is slightly more likely to appear in British historical or literary contexts. American usage is almost solely within academic literary criticism or history.
Connotations
Connotes a romanticized, 'golden age' of English literature, intellectual debate, and festive wit. It carries a nostalgic, antiquarian charm.
Frequency
Extremely rare in contemporary usage outside specialized texts. Far more common as a historical reference than as a live metaphor.
Grammar
How to Use “mermaid tavern” in a Sentence
[Subject: Group/Person] + met/gathered/frequented + at/in + the Mermaid TavernThe Mermaid Tavern + [Verb: served as/was] + a hub/meeting place for + [Object: Intellectuals/Writers]This café is + [Comparative: like/a latter-day] + the Mermaid TavernVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “mermaid tavern” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The poets would often Mermaid-Tavern of an evening, debating sonnets over ale.
American English
- They hoped to Mermaid-Tavern their way into the local literary scene.
adverb
British English
- They argued Mermaid-Tavern-style, with great passion and no lasting grudges.
American English
- The conversation flowed Mermaid-Tavernly into the early hours.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Used in literary history, Renaissance studies, and biographies of Elizabethan/Jacobean figures. E.g., 'The debates at the Mermaid Tavern influenced Jonson's comedic theories.'
Everyday
Virtually never used. Might appear in sophisticated conversation to humorously label a regular pub where friends discuss ideas.
Technical
Not applicable.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “mermaid tavern”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “mermaid tavern”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mermaid tavern”
- Using it as a common noun (e.g., 'a mermaid tavern').
- Misspelling as 'Mermaind' or 'Mermade'.
- Confusing it with 'The Mermaid Theatre' (a modern London theatre).
- Assuming it was a place for sailors/maritime trade.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
While it is a persistent and romantic tradition, there is no definitive contemporary proof. He was certainly associated with other figures who were known members of the 'Fraternity of Sireniacal Gentlemen' that met there.
It was on Bread Street, with an entrance on Friday Street, in the City of London. It was destroyed in the Great Fire of London in 1666.
No. The original building is long gone. A modern office building called 'Mermaid House' and a plaque near the site (on Bread Street) commemorate its location.
No, not unless it's the proper name of the establishment. Using it generically ('it's a real mermaid tavern') is a poetic or allusive metaphor, referencing the historical original.
A specific, historically famous tavern in London (c. 1415–1666) known as a meeting place for the 'Fraternity of Sireniacal Gentlemen,' including prominent literary figures like William Shakespeare, Ben Jonson, and Sir Walter Raleigh.
Mermaid tavern is usually literary, historical, academic in register.
Mermaid tavern: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmɜː.meɪd ˈtæ.vən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmɝː.meɪd ˈtæ.vɚn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A Mermaid Tavern of the mind”
- “To hold a Mermaid Tavern (i.e., a lively literary gathering)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a MERMAID (mythical) serving drinks in a TAVERN to Shakespeare and his friends, blending myth with literary history.
Conceptual Metaphor
INTELLECTUAL COMMUNITY IS A CONVIVIAL GATHERING; LITERARY DEBATE IS FESTIVE ENTERTAINMENT.
Practice
Quiz
What is the 'Mermaid Tavern' primarily known as?