Phrase guide
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
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noun
Any of a number of specific named hotel foyers, first and most notably that of the Waldorf–Astoria in New York City.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
Any hotel foyer or similar area where upper-class women congregate in order to be seen.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: US, historical
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
Alternative letter-case form of Peacock Alley.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: alt-of
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
History
The main corridor connecting the two buildings comprising the Waldorf–Astoria was given this nickname by the press in New York City in reference to wealthy patrons (especially women) who would go there to show off their finery (compare peacock (“strut proudly”)). The name then came to refer generically to the foyer of any such upper-class hotel, or similar gathering place. First appears c. 1904 in Real New York by Rupert Hughes.
