A Dictionary of Slang, Cant, and Vulgar Words. Hotten John Camden

A Dictionary of Slang, Cant, and Vulgar Words

when the DISGUISED individual CAN’T SEE A HOLE IN A LADDER, or when he is all MOPS AND BROOMS, or OFF HIS NUT, or with his MAIN-BRACE WELL SPLICED, or with the SUN IN HIS EYES, or when he has LAPPED THE GUTTER, and got the GRAVEL RASH, or on the RAN-TAN, or on the RE-RAW, or when he is SEWED UP, or regularly SCAMMERED, – then, and not till then, is he entitled in vulgar society to the title of LUSHINGTON, or recommended to PUT IN THE PIN.

A DICTIONARY OF MODERN SLANG, CANT, & VULGAR WORDS;

MANY WITH THEIR ETYMOLOGIES TRACED

A 1, first rate, the very best; “she’s a prime girl she is; she is A 1.“ —Sam Slick. The highest classification of ships at Lloyd’s; common term in the United States, also at Liverpool and other English seaports. Another, even more intensitive form, is “first-class, letter A, No. 1.”

ABOUT RIGHT, “to do the thing ABOUT RIGHT,” i. e., to do it properly, soundly, correctly; “he guv it ’im ABOUT RIGHT,” i. e., he beat him severely.

ABRAM-SHAM, or SHAM-ABRAHAM, to feign sickness or distress. From ABRAM MAN, the ancient cant term for a begging impostor, or one who pretended to have been mad. —Burton’s Anatomy of Melancholy, part i., sec. 2, vol. i., p. 360. When Abraham Newland was Cashier of the Bank of England, and signed their notes, it was sung: —

“I have heard people say

That SHAM ABRAHAM you may,

But you mustn’t SHAM ABRAHAM Newland.”

ABSQUATULATE, to run away, or abscond; a hybrid American expression, from the Latin ab, and “squat,” to settle.

ADAM’S ALE, water. —English. The Scotch term is ADAM’S WINE.

AGGERAWATORS (corruption of Aggravators), the greasy locks of hair in vogue among costermongers and other street folk, worn twisted from the temple back towards the ear. They are also, from a supposed resemblance in form, termed NEWGATE KNOCKERS, which see. —Sala’s Gas-light, &c.

ALDERMAN, a half-crown – possibly from its rotundity.

ALDERMAN, a turkey.

ALDERMAN IN CHAINS, a turkey hung with sausages.

ALL OF A HUGH! all on one side, or with a thump; the word HUGH being pronounced with a grunt. —Suffolk.

ALL MY EYE, answer of astonishment to an improbable story; ALL MY EYE AND BETTY MARTIN, a vulgar phrase with similar meaning, said to be the commencement of a Popish prayer to St. Martin, “Oh mihi, beate Martine,” and fallen into discredit at the Reformation.

ALL-OVERISH, neither sick nor well, the premonitory symptoms of illness.

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1

“Swarms of vagabonds, whose eyes were so sharp as Lynx.” —Bullein’s Simples and Surgery, 1562.

2

Mayhew has a curious idea upon the habitual restlessness of the nomadic tribes, i. e., “Whether it be that in the mere act of wandering, there is a greater determination of blood to the surface of the body, and consequently a less quantity sent to the brain.” —London Labour, vol. i., p. 2.

3

Mr. Thos. Lawrence, who promised an Etymological, Cant, and Slang Dictionary. Where is the book?

4

Richardson’s Dictionary.

5

Description of England, prefixed to Holinshed’s Chronicle.

6

The word Slang, as will be seen in the chapter upon that subject, is purely a Gipsey term, although now-a-days it refers to low or vulgar language of any kind, – other than cant. Slang and Gibberish in the Gipsey language are synonymous; but, as English adoptions, have meanings very different from that given to them in their original.

7

The vulgar tongue consists of two parts: the first is the Cant Language; the second, those burlesque phrases, quaint allusions, and nick names for persons, things, and places, which, from long uninterrupted usage, are made classical by prescription. —Grose’s Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue, 1st edition, 1785.

8

“Outlandish people calling themselves Egyptians.” 1530.

1

“Swarms of vagabonds, whose eyes were so sharp as Lynx.” —Bullein’s Simples and Surgery, 1562.

2

Mayhew has a curious idea upon the habitual restlessness of the nomadic tribes, i. e., “Whether it be that in the mere act of wandering, there is a greater determination of blood to the surface of the body, and consequently a less quantity sent to the brain.” —London Labour, vol. i., p. 2.

3

Mr. Thos. Lawrence, who promised an Etymological, Cant, and Slang Dictionary. Where is the book?

4

Richardson’s Dictionary.

5

Description of England, prefixed to Holinshed’s Chronicle.

6

7

The vulgar tongue consists of two parts: the first is the Cant Language; the second, those burlesque phrases, quaint allusions, and nick names for persons, things, and places, which, from long uninterrupted usage, are made classical by prescription. —Grose’s Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue, 1st edition, 1785.

8

“Outlandish people calling themselves Egyptians.” 1530.

11

This very proverb was mentioned by a young Gipsey to Crabb, a few years ago. —Gipseys’ Advocate, p. 14.

12

I except, of course, the numerous writers who have followed Grellman, and based their researches upon his labours.

13

Gipseys of Spain, vol. i., p. 18.

14

Shakes. Hen. IV., part 2, act ii, scene 4.

15

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A Dictionary of Slang, Cant, and Vulgar Words. Hotten John Camden