Green’s Dictionary of Slang

1. (UK Und.) a term of abuse.

1876

C. Hindley Life and Adventures of a Cheap Jack 81: He would [...] start at once calling the people queer names, as gudgeons, mackerel-backs, double-distilled assassins, &c.

2. an ornamental bow worn at a woman’s breast [it ‘kills’ her admirers].

1984

Partridge DSUE (8th edn) 30/1: 1900–14.