Buzz
Many are familiar with the less-than-ideal hygiene practices of the past. Whether it’s crafting fake eyebrows from mouse skin, a British king who thought bathing would harm his health, the Romans using lye (a mixture of ash and urine) for laundry, or the staggering 300,000 years it took to invent toilet paper, our history isn’t exactly squeaky clean.
What many may not know, however, are the unpleasant odors tied to these peculiar hygiene habits. The list ahead offers a collection of less-than-pleasant scents from a time that aligned with the Romantic Era—but don’t be fooled; it’s not all poetic charm. Welcome to Georgian England.
Many are familiar with the less-than-ideal hygiene practices of the past. Whether it’s crafting fake eyebrows from mouse skin, a British king who thought bathing would harm his health, the Romans using lye (a mixture of ash and urine) for laundry, or the staggering 300,000 years it took to invent toilet paper, our history isn’t exactly squeaky clean.
What many may not know, however, are the unpleasant odors tied to these peculiar hygiene habits. The list ahead offers a collection of less-than-pleasant scents from a time that aligned with the Romantic Era—but don’t be fooled; it’s not all poetic charm. Welcome to Georgian England.
10. Otto of Rose
The term ‘Perfume’ is derived from the Latin words meaning ‘To scent by smoking’. Early perfumes were originally created to protect against the plague, as it was believed that they could purify the air and fend off harmful odors. By the late 18th century, Otto of Rose emerged as the most popular fragrance, made by heating rose petals and water in a copper still and then extracting the oil from the mixture.
Given its popularity, paranoia about counterfeit perfumes grew among the Georgian English. An 1831 guide for servants recommended this test for authenticity: 'Place a small drop of otto on a clean piece of writing paper and hold it to the fire. If genuine, it will evaporate without leaving a trace; otherwise, a grease spot will reveal the fraud.'
The widespread popularity of Otto of Rose can be attributed to the distaste for previous perfumes. One such scent, civet, was made from a gland near the anus of the civet cat. The Georgians, it seems, began to feel that wearing a fragrance derived from a cat’s posterior was rather unrefined.
9. Tobacco
In Georgian England, social life experienced a tremendous surge. In the 17th century, men frequently gathered in coffee houses to smoke pipes, but by the 1700s, tobacco gained a negative reputation. The Georgians believed that women couldn't tolerate tobacco smoke, which led to rumors that wives would leave their husbands if they refused to give up their pipes. Smoking in public was also seen as rude.
In response, the Georgians turned to snuffing, the act of inhaling finely ground tobacco through the nostrils. While it was a fashionable trend, some found it unpleasant. It came with side effects such as coughing, grunting, and spitting. The primary advantage was that it didn't invade others' space as tobacco smoke would. However, churchgoers were reportedly disturbed by the sounds made by those snuffing during mass!
8. Fish
Marketplaces in Georgian England were vastly different from today’s supermarkets. There were no food safety regulations, packaging, or use-by dates, so ‘Caveat Emptor’ (‘Let the buyer beware’) was the rule. Buying spoiled food could cause illness and offend guests. To prevent this, household manuals were created to help Georgians test their food. Meat and fish were tested by smell; if they had a 'slimy' odor, they were to be avoided.
Pheasants were checked around the neck to ensure they didn't have a 'tainted' odor. Butter also needed to be tested before buying, and customers were advised to bring their own knife for testing, as merchants could offer only the best part of the stick.
Women at Billingsgate, who sold fish, earned a reputation for being sweaty and irritable with their customers. For some, inspecting their goods seemed offensive, implying that they weren't trustworthy. As a result, many Georgians would rather be 'cod dead' than engage in such practices.
7. Paint
While it may seem odd, the scent of paint is frequently mentioned in Georgian diaries. Since redecorating wasn’t a common activity, the smell left a lasting impression. Georgian paints were made from a mix of linseed oil and turpentine, which produced a particularly strong and pungent odor.
Bernardino Ramazzini, an Italian physician, was the first to suggest that the chemicals used in paint production often caused workers to lose their sense of smell. He was so fascinated by odors that he proposed someone should write 'A natural and physical history of odors!'
6. Ammonia
The scent of ammonia is unmistakable. This substance, made from a blend of hydrogen and nitrogen, is most commonly found in fermenting urine.
This scent stimulates the trigeminal nerve, which is linked to facial expressions. The Georgians were fascinated with nerves, considering individuals with sensitive nerves to be of higher social status. Women, in particular, were thought to be more prone to anxiety. Ammonia was used to ‘revive the senses,’ and Georgian novels and plays even featured heroines inhaling ammonia from corked bottles! Later, Georgians believed that smelling salts could be used to revive those who had drowned or suffocated.
But ammonia wasn’t the only extreme method employed—one such technique involved pumping tobacco smoke into someone's rear end, a rather unpleasant way to revive someone.
5. Marzipan
The Industrial Revolution coincided with Georgian England, bringing about massive urbanization. This created an opportunity for townsfolk to buy exotic ingredients and craft more refined sweets. Marzipan became especially popular. Made from almonds, sugar, and rose water, it was easy to prepare and affordable. Marzipan was typically eaten at the end of a meal, and its distinct almond-like aroma was cherished.
Marzipan was not just a delicious treat but also served as a medium for sculpture—figures of people, animals, and even castles were crafted, becoming a stylish centerpiece on the dining table. This form of edible artistry was a hallmark of Georgian decoration.
4. Wigs
While marzipan served as sculpture material, the true artistry was found in Georgian wigs. Hair was arranged atop padded frames and wire structures to create intricate masterpieces for the drawing room. For many, using their own hair wasn’t enough, so it was supplemented with horse hair. In the 1760s, wig styles included egg-shaped designs, but they later evolved into the iconic pouf.
The Duchess of Devonshire became famous for her extravagant three-foot high bouffant, which featured stuffed birds, wax fruit, and even model ships. These elaborate wigs were so costly to create that they were worn for weeks without cleaning, leading to infestations. To combat this, Georgian women developed a scratching rod to fend off the tiny creatures nesting in their hair.
3. Bodily Fluids
The enduring enigma of sanitary hygiene among Georgian women has baffled historians for ages. Lacking the modern conveniences of undergarments, they seemed to rely on the forces of nature, or so it appears. What is more verifiable, however, are their toilet habits.
At the royal court, ladies relied on a porcelain jug for their personal needs, known as a bourdaloue. This device was held firmly between their thighs under their skirts. It was not uncommon for a woman to continue chatting with others even while relieving herself!
These ten distinct odors are undeniably revolting. Yet, some of them have managed to persist through history. While scented wigs have largely fallen out of fashion, body odors and bad breath remain ever-present. The key difference today is the widespread availability of showers and deodorants. The persistence of these smells reveals just how truly unpleasant humans can be.
2. Bad Breath
Moreover, the Georgians were often plagued by the scent of decaying teeth. Although tooth-cleansing powders had been introduced, these contained sulfuric acid that damaged enamel. To combat further foul odors, herbs or parsley were commonly used. When a tooth became beyond saving, it was simply removed with a pair of pliers, without the luxury of anesthetics.
To avoid sporting a gummy smile, Georgians opted for porcelain replacements. However, whenever possible, they preferred to purchase live dentures. The impoverished often sold their teeth, providing a rather lucrative market for those willing to engage in such trade.
1. Body Odor
The environment in which Georgians lived did not lend itself easily to cleanliness. Despite their refined appearance, they were, in reality, rather unclean. While hands and faces were given a daily rinse, a full-body wash was seen as detrimental to one's health. Women's dresses, in particular, posed unique challenges.
The heavy fabric of these dresses caused excessive sweating. With no deodorants to mitigate the odor, the resulting stench was unbearable. Moreover, clothing was only washed about once a month, though undergarments were changed and cleaned more regularly. These were washed using lye, a mixture of ash and urine, reminiscent of the cleaning methods used by the Romans. Quite classy.
