Green’s Dictionary of Slang

a male homosexual.

1936		J. Curtis Gilt Kid 34: Of course most of the girls and irons would be out on the bash by now.
1941		V. Davis Phenomena in Crime 253: The Janes, iron-hoofs (or hooves). Effeminate youths in blackmail gangs.
1959		F. Norman Fings I i: Yeah, them iron hoofs are creepin’ in as well.
1966		Trimble 5000 Adult Sex Words and Phrases.
1967		Scaffold ‘Thank You Very Much’ 🎵 Thank you very much for the Aintree iron.
1972		Galton & Simpson ‘Loathe Story’ Steptoe and Son [TV script] I’m not an iron hoof. I’m a straightforward crumpet man.
1974		G.F. Newman You Flash Bastard 40: The DC had probably pressurised the poof barman to let him drink for nothing, and finally the iron had got the needle, or courage.
1984		Smiley Culture ‘Cockney Translation’ 🎵 When dem talk ’bout iron dem really mean batty man.
2000		J.J. Connolly Layer Cake 185: Don’t be gettin too fuckin cosy with those fuckin irons down there either.
2002		D. Shaw ‘Dead Beard’ at www.asstr.org 🌐 What’s your problem, Harry, are you some kind of an iron hoof?
2011		J.J. Connolly Viva La Madness 47: Factor fifteen is for irons and girls.