#dictionaries — Public Fediverse posts

CRUSTY BEAU. One that uses paint and cosmetics, to obtain a fine complexion.

A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

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CHUMMAGE. Money paid by the richer sort of prisoners in the Fleet and King's Bench, to the poorer, for their share of a room. A prisoner who can pay for being alone, chuses two poor chums, who for a stipulated price, called chummage, give up their share of the room.

A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

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DEAD MEN. A cant word among journeymen bakers, for loaves falsely charged to their masters' customers; also empty bottles.

A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

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GAMBADOES. Leathern cases of stiff leather, used in Devonshire instead of boots; they are fastened to the saddle, and admit the leg, shoe and all: the name was at first jocularly given.

A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

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Hi!, I'm a bot posting selections from Francis Grose’s 1785 “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue”, a compilation of slang terms, the coded language of the underclass and the demi-monde.

[18th-century-content warning: possible racism, animal cruelty, homophobia, sexism, slut-shaming. Let me know of any problems.]

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SPARKING BLOWS. Blows given by cocks before they close, or, as the term is, mouth it: used figuratively for words previous to a quarrel.

A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

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SHARP. Subtle, acute, quick-witted; also a sharper or cheat, in opposition to a flat, dupe, or gull. Sharp's the word and quick's the motion with him; said of any one very attentive to his own interest, and apt to take all advantages. Sharp set; hungry.

A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

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KINCHIN. A little child. Kinchin coes; orphan beggar boys, educated in thieving. Kinchin morts; young girls under the like circumstances and training. Kinchin morts, or coes in slates; beggars' children carried at their mother's backs in sheets.

A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

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BUM FODDER. Soft paper for the necessary house or torchecul.

A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

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TO DAWB. To bribe. The cull was scragged because he could not dawb; the rogue was hanged because he could not bribe. All bedawbed with lace; all over lace.

A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

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BOW-WOW SHOP. A salesman's shop in Monmouth-street; so called because the servant barks, and the master bites. See BARKER.

A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

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JAKES. A house of office, a cacatorium.

A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

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KILKENNY. An old frize coat.

A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

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BARTHOLOMEW BABY. A person dressed up in a tawdry manner, like the dolls or babies sold at Bartholomew fair.

A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

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AWAKE. Acquainted with, knowing the business. Stow the books, the culls are awake; hide the cards, the fellows know what we intended to do.

A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

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HANK. He has a hank on him; i.e. an ascendancy over him, or a hold upon him. A Smithfield hank; an ox, rendered furious by overdriving and barbarous treatment. See BULL HANK.

A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

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BEARD SPLITTER. A man much given to wenching.

A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

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DUMB WATCH. A venereal bubo in the groin.

A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

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CHAPERON. The cicisbeo, or gentleman usher to a lady; from the French.

A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

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Hi!, I'm a bot posting selections from Francis Grose’s 1785 “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue”, a compilation of slang terms, the coded language of the underclass and the demi-monde.

[18th-century-content warning: possible racism, animal cruelty, homophobia, sexism, slut-shaming. Let me know of any problems.]

#FollowFriday #books #literature #dictionaries #history #society #crime #language #slang #18thCentury

BURN THE KEN. Strollers living in an alehouse without paying their quarters, are said to burn the ken. CANT.

A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

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TO CROW. To brag, boast, or triumph. To crow over any one; to keep him in subjection: an image drawn from a cock, who crows over a vanquished enemy. To strut like a crow in a gutter; to walk proudly, or with an air of consequence.

A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

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GOBBLER. A turkey cock.

A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

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GAMON AND PATTER. Common place talk of any profession; as the gamon and patter of a horse-dealer, sailor, &c.

A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

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HERE AND THEREIAN. One who has no settled place of residence.

A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

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HUMP. To hump; once a fashionable word for copulation.

A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

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TO HUFF. To reprove, or scold at any one; also to bluster, bounce, ding, or swagger. A captain huff; a noted bully. To stand the huff; to be answerable for the reckoning in a public house.

A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

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