Slang and its analogues past and present, volume 2 [of 7]

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

77292

Title

Slang and its analogues past and present, volume 2 [of 7]

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

This comprehensive dictionary traces the history of slang from the 16th to the late 19th century, documenting terms used by thieves, sailors, soldiers, and schoolboys. Compiled by Farmer and Henley, it offers a rich comparative study of English jargon alongside synonyms in French, German, Italian, and Spanish, capturing the vibrant linguistic evolution of diverse social classes over three hundred years.

Summary up to 500 words

Volume II of *Slang and its Analogues Past and Present* by John Stephen Farmer and William Ernest Henley continues their monumental project of cataloging heterodox speech across more than three hundred years. This volume systematically defines entries ranging from 'C' to 'F', serving as both a linguistic archive and a sociological snapshot of historical vernacular. The text meticulously documents usage across specific subcultures, including prisoners, costermongers, thieves, sailors, and schoolboys, illustrating how language reflects the lives of these diverse groups. The authors provide detailed analyses of words like 'chuck,' which encompasses meanings from food scraps and sea biscuit to throwing objects and sexual desire. Each entry offers etymological roots, historical citations dating back to 1593, and cross-references with international equivalents in French, German, Italian, and others. The volume preserves the authentic voice of historical colloquial English through extensive quotations from literature, newspapers, broadsides, and ballads. Significant entries include 'dead-lurk,' the slang term for burglary during divine service; 'chuck-farthing' or 'pitch-and-toss,' a gambling game played with money; and 'dead-head,' referring to someone who travels or attends events without payment. The dictionary also explores Americanisms such as 'fix' (to arrange) and 'fizzle' (a failure), alongside British terms like 'dead-as-a-door-nail.' By presenting synonyms and cultural contexts, the work offers an unparalleled resource for understanding the development of colloquial English and its global analogues, capturing the vibrant evolution of slang from the Elizabethan era through the late nineteenth century.

LLM editorial rating

4.5/5

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Categories

• Dictionaries
• Slang