As a lad growing up in the South Wales Valleys I never gave much thought to the words I used — they were just part of the rhythm of the valleys. But words, as I’ve learned since diving into blogging and online marketing, often carry stories far richer than their syllables suggest.
Take “tawdry”, for example. Today, it’s a rather unflattering word — “cheap and nasty” is the usual translation. Something gaudy, poorly made, or lacking in taste. Hardly the sort of thing you’d associate with virtue.
And yet, this unassuming little word has a saintly origin.
From Saint to Shoddy: The Tale of St Audrey
St Audrey — or Æthelthryth, as she was originally known — was a 7th-century Anglo-Saxon princess. Despite political pressures to marry (twice, in fact), she remained committed to a life of spiritual devotion. After her second husband’s death, she founded a monastery at Ely and ruled as its abbess with great piety until her death in 679 AD.
A remarkable woman by all accounts — and a far cry from anything “cheap and nasty.”
But it was after her death that things took a surprising turn.
Each year, a fair was held in Ely in her memory — the “St Audrey’s Fair.” Traders sold devotional items, and one of the most popular souvenirs was lace neckwear. These items, known as St Audrey’s lace, were originally intended as tokens of spiritual admiration. But as the centuries rolled on, the lace became increasingly commercialised — mass-produced, gaudy, and poor in quality.
By the 16th and 17th centuries, “St Audrey’s lace” had degenerated into what one might politely call tat. And from there, the term “tawdry lace” emerged — a corruption of “St Audrey.”
Eventually, the lace part was dropped, and “tawdry” entered the English language as a standalone adjective meaning flashy but worthless.
From Virtue to Vulgarity
It’s a bit tragic really. Imagine living a life of devout purity, only to have your name immortalised in the Oxford English Dictionary next to “garish” and “chintzy.” I imagine St Audrey — dignified, stoic, noble — would have been aghast at the idea.
But language has its own path. And it often favours irony.
“Tawdry” stuck. And like so many expressions that begin in reverence, it ended in ridicule. It’s a stark reminder of how quickly quality can be sacrificed on the altar of popularity.
Which brings me rather neatly to today’s online world.
Avoid the Tawdry Trap in Online Marketing
In the fast-paced world of online and affiliate marketing and digital product creation, the “tawdry” temptation is very real.
You’ve probably seen it:
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Courses that promise 7 figures in 7 days — with no effort.
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Graphics that scream rather than persuade.
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Sales pages held together with neon colours and hype.
It’s all surface and no substance. And it’s precisely the kind of thing that turns readers off — the modern version of St Audrey’s lace.
So how do you stand out without selling out?
How do you create something valuable, not just visible?
The answer lies in taking the right kind of guidance — building your business on solid, ethical, proven foundations.
Forget Tawdry—Build an Online Business the Right Way
That’s why I recommend Online Success Coaching, especially if you’re starting out with product creation or feeling overwhelmed.
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It’s not about gimmicks or flash. It’s about structure, mentorship, support — and building something real.
You’ll discover how to:
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Create value-packed products and recruit affiliates
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Build lasting trust with your audience
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Avoid the “cheap and nasty” tactics that hurt your reputation
All from marketers who’ve been where you are, and got where you want to go — without selling their soul (or their lace) in the process.
Final Thought: A Word to Remember
So next time you hear or use the word “tawdry,” spare a moment for poor St Audrey. She tried to live a life of grace, only to be remembered by a word that means the opposite.
Let it serve as a reminder in your online journey:
Substance beats show. Integrity outlasts hype.
And in the end, the best kind of marketing is the kind that’s never described as tawdry.
