1811 Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

5402

Title

1811 Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Francis Grose's 1811 Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue catalogs the slang, jargon, and cant of London's lower classes, thieves, sailors, and university students. This unabridged edition expands the original work with definitions for pickpocket eloquence, fashionable wit, and bawdy humor, offering a vivid snapshot of early 19th-century subcultures.

Summary up to 500 words

Originally compiled by Captain Francis Grose, the *Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue* serves as an exhaustive lexicon of the 'Vulgar Tongue,' capturing the specific vernacular of Newgate, the docks, and the streets. Significantly altered and enlarged by a member of the Whip Club, this edition bridges the gap between the 'cits of Fish-street' and the 'boors of Brentford' by incorporating not only criminal cant but also university slang and fashionable jargon. The text defines terms ranging from 'Abess,' a bawd, to 'Whip,' a coachman, offering a comprehensive view of the language used by rogues, gamblers, and the desperate. Entries explain criminal terminology, such as 'bob' for a shilling or 'clap' for a venereal disease, alongside maritime terms like 'choak pear' and military jargon like 'brown Bess.' The volume also documents academic phrases like 'Aegrotat' for a sick leave certificate and university slang, reflecting the peculiarities of the 'Jehus of rank' as well as the lower orders. Grose notes that while the original work focused on the lower orders, this edition integrates 'University Wit' to ensure that the uninitiated can understand the modes of expression of both the college and the Old Bailey. The book functions as both a practical guide for the uninitiated and a curious historical record of a world where a 'blue plumb' was a bullet and a 'budge' was a thief's scout. By documenting everything from the 'Floating Academy' for convicts to the 'Brace tavern' in King's Bench, the dictionary preserves a world where language was a tool for survival, deception, and social distinction, allowing readers to talk bawdy before their parents or discuss improper topics without raising a blush on the cheek of modesty.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Dictionaries
• Slang