Scarlet fever

noun, slang

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    A streptococcal infection, mainly occurring among children, and characterized by a red skin rash, sore throat and fever. countable, uncountable

    ""I am sure," replied Mrs. Palmer, "if it were not wicked, I should be glad that you had the scarlet fever; I am so much happier since I knew you..."

  2. 2
    an acute communicable disease (usually in children) characterized by fever and a red rash wordnet
  3. 3
    Romantic attraction to soldiers in preference to other people. UK, obsolete, slang, uncountable

    "Soldiers are notorious for hunting up these women, especially nurse-maids and those that in the execution of their duty walk in the Parks, when they may easily be accosted. Nurse-maids feel flattered by the attention that is lavished upon them, and are always ready to succumb to the “scarlet fever.” A red coat is all powerful with this class, who prefer a soldier to a servant, or any other description of man they come in contact with."

Etymology

(attraction to soldiers): In allusion to the red coats they used to wear.

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