Piccadilly is a famous street and area in London, but many people wonder where the name comes from. Unlike other places in London, like Trafalgar Square or Oxford Street, the origin of “Piccadilly” is unusual. The story begins in the 1500s, when wealthy people in Spain and Italy wore large, decorative linen collars to show their status. These collars, called piccodils, became fashionable in England by the 1560s. Only knights or high-ranking people could legally wear them, and even Queen Elizabeth I wore one in her portrait around 1575.
Robert Baker, a tailor, opened a workshop near the road to Reading in London around 1600. He made these collars and called his house Piccadilly Hall, inspired by the collars’ name. Over time, the street near his workshop adopted the name Piccadilly, despite briefly being called Portugal Street in 1668. By 1673, the street officially became Piccadilly.
Today, Piccadilly is a well-known area with shops, bookshops, and stately homes. The name’s origin is directly connected to fashion, social status, and a specific style of collar, showing how even small trends can influence city life and history. Many people travel on the Piccadilly line or visit Piccadilly Circus, without realizing the historical story behind the name.
Vocabulary:
• infrastructure (noun): the basic systems and structures of a city (roads, streets, etc.)
• extravagant (adj): very fancy or expensive, more than necessary
• trend (noun): a popular style or fashion at a particular time
• collar (noun): the part of a shirt or dress that goes around the neck
• status symbol (noun): something showing a person’s social position or wealth
• workshop (noun): a place where a craftsperson makes or repairs things
• booming (adj): growing quickly and successfully
• stately home (noun): a large and impressive house, often historic
Source: Luke O'Sullivan