Other editions of book A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue

Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue Francis Grose Francis Grose (b. before 11 June 1731 – 12 June 1791) was an English antiquary, draughtsman, and lexicographer. He was born at his father's house in Broad Street, St-Peter-le-Poer, London. His parents were Swiss immigrant and jeweller Francis Jacob Grose (d. 1769), and his wife, Anne (d. 1773), daughter of Thomas Bennett of Greenford in Middlesex. Grose was baptized on 11 June 1731 in the parish of St Peter-le-Poer.

Throughout history, most dictionaries have served the purpose of preserving the purity of the language, usually preferring the erudite vocabulary of the affluent upper classes to the salty, constantly evolving slang of their working-class counterparts. That began to change in the early modern period, when several innovative lexicographers began publishing collections of slang terms used by particular subcultures, such as criminals. According to scholars, Francis Grose's Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue is one of the most important and complete of these early slang dictionaries. Spend some time with this fascinating volume to learn the slang definitions of words and phrases like "poisoned" (pregnant), "shooting the cat" (vomiting after excess alcohol consumption), and "snoozing ken" (a brothel).

The Georgian "Profanisaurus". From the 1790s to the 1820s, numerous editions of the Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue were published. Looking at the slang and vernacular language of the time, this dictionary pre-dated Roger Mellie's best-selling Profanisaurus by a good 200 years. Reprinted here, it covers the rude, the crude and the downright vulgar. Learn how the Georgians and early Victorians would insult each other and find out how some of today's words and derivations have come about. But most of all, just dip in and see how our ancestors considered and talked about such subjects as sex and the workings of the human body.

This is a pre-1923 historical reproduction that was curated for quality. Quality assurance was conducted on each of these books in an attempt to remove books with imperfections introduced by the digitization process. Though we have made best efforts - the books may have occasional errors that do not impede the reading experience. We believe this work is culturally important and have elected to bring the book back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide.

About the Book A dictionary is a collection of words in one or more specific languages, generally displayed alphabetically, which often incorporate definitions, usage, etymologies, pronunciations, translation, etc. It may also be a book that shows the words in one language with their equivalent in the other language, although this is also known as a lexicon. The most ancient dictionaries were Akkadian Empire (Syria) cuneiform tablets that contained bilingual Sumerian–Akkadian wordlists (2300 BC). In English the word "dictionary" was invented by John of Garland in 1220 when he wrote a book called "Dictionarius" to assist with Latin "diction". An non-alphabetical list of 8000 English words called the "Elementarie", was compiled by Richard Mulcaster in 1582.About us Leopold Classic Library has the goal of making available to readers the classic books that have been out of print for decades. While these books may have occasional imperfections, we consider that only hand checking of every page ensures readable content without poor picture quality, blurred or missing text etc. That's why we: republish only hand checked books; that are high quality; enabling readers to see classic books in original formats; that are unlikely to have missing or blurred pages. You can search "Leopold Classic Library" in categories of your interest to find other books in our extensive collection. Happy reading!

First published in 1811, this book is an extensive dictionary of contemporary slang and colloquialisms written by Francis Grose. Francis Grose (before 1731 - 1791) was an English draughtsman, antiquary, and lexicographer. Other notable works by this author include: "The antiquities of England and Wales", (1784), "A glossary of provincial and local words used in England" (1839) and "The antiquities of Scotland" (1797). "A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue" will appeal those with an interest in lexicography and historical slang, and it would make for a charming addition to any collection. Many vintage books such as this are becoming increasingly scarce and expensive. We are republishing this volume now in a modern, high-quality edition complete with a specially commissioned new introduction on the history of erotic literature.

WARNING: This book was written over two hundred years ago, so certain words, which we frown upon today, are littered throughout. Not for those easily offended. The A to Z Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue is truly the Profanisaurus of the 19th century. The book was originally intended as a guide to the street slang for the upper-class men, to give them some insight into the crass language of the street. The book is cram-packed with thousands of words and derivations. Read the insults Georgians and early Victorians used on a daily basis. Examples of what to expect: SHITING THROUGH THE TEETH. Vomiting. Hark ye, friend, have you got a padlock on your arse, that you shite through your teeth? Vulgar address to one vomiting. MUTTON MONGER. A man addicted to wenching. WIND-MILL. She has no fortune but her mills; i.e. she has nothing but her tits and arse. TOSS POT. A drunkard. APPLE DUMPLIN SHOP. A woman's bosom. MOON-EYED HEN. A squinting wench. TETBURY PORTION. A c**t and a clap. WHIFFLES. A relaxation of the scrotum.

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1785 edition. Excerpt: ... AUTEM DIVERS, (cant) pickpockets who practise in churches, also church-wardens and overseers of the poor. AUTEM GOGLERS, (cant) pretended French prophets. AUTEM MORT, (cant) a married woman, also a female beggar, with several children hired or borrowed to excite charity. AUTEM QUAVERS, (cant) quakers. AUTEM QUAVER TUB, (cant) a quakers' meeting-house. B. J) ABES IN THE WOOD, rogues in the stocks, or pillory. BACK BITER, one who slanders another behind his back, i.e., in his absence. His bosom friends are become his back biters, said of a lousy man. BACK'D, dead. He wishes to have the senior, or old squaretoes back'd. He longs to have his father on six mens' shoulders, that is, carrying to the grave. BACK UP, his back is up, i.e., he is offended or angry; an expression or idea taken from a cat, that animal when angry, always raising its back; an allusion also sometimes used to jeer a crooked man, as, so Sir, I see somebody has offended you, for your back is up. BACON, he has saved his bacon, he has escaped, he has a good voice to beg bacon, a saying in ridicule of a bad voice. BACON FACED, full faced. BACON FED, fat, greasy. BACK GAMMON PLAYER, a sodomite. USHER, or GENTLEMAN OF THE BACK DOOR, the same. BAD BARGAIN, one of his majesty's bad bargains, a worthless soldier, a malingeror. See malingeror. BADGE, term used in the canting sense, for one burned in the hand. He has got his badge, and piked; he was burned in the hand, and is at liberty (cant). BADGE COVES, parish pensioners (cant). BADGERS, a crew of desperate villains who robbed near rivers, into which they threw the bodies of those they murdered (cant.) BADGER, to confound, perplex, or teaze. BAGGAGE, heavy baggage, women and children. BAGPIPE, TO BAGPIPE, a lascivious practice...

This is a reproduction of the original artefact. Generally these books are created from careful scans of the original. This allows us to preserve the book accurately and present it in the way the author intended. Since the original versions are generally quite old, there may occasionally be certain imperfections within these reproductions. We're happy to make these classics available again for future generations to enjoy!