Naughty Nineties

A British nickname for the 1890s, a decade widely remembered for its social liberalism, artistic decadence, and moral permissiveness relative to the stricter Victorian era that preceded it. Typically associated with fin-de-siècle culture — the Yellow Book, Oscar Wilde, music halls, and the New Woman movement. The 'naughty' tag captures a sense of playful transgression and scandal that colored the decade's cultural reputation. The era is fondly invoked in nostalgic discussions of Victorian and Edwardian history.