Since these slang terms, old as they are, are British, could any of our Brit posters elaborate? Have they ever heard these terms used in these ways? ~ Sparteye

Can't say I have. I would have guessed 'gutter slut' correctly, but so would we all!

Other terms that you reference are much more recent and I would'nt be surprised to hear them used today - I certainly wouldn't say that no one uses them anymore, in fact I'm sure my father would!

'Guttersnipe', for example, is definitely still used on occasion and 'street arab' was in common use by older people until recently and maybe still is. 'Street urchin' is another such expression and all three refer to children.