Other editions of book 1811 Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue

The “1811 Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue,” was written by Francis Grose (a British soldier) just after the American Revolution. The word "vulgar" means slang, though some of them are vulgar. This book was banned in military camps at the time. This book is hysterical, both educational and entertaining. It shows how normal people spoke over 200 years ago, and provides endless possibilities for insulting friends. It is an old dictionary of words that will "pitch kettle" (confound) people if you actually use them, and others are still around, like "to catch a crab" (to fall backwards by missing one's stroke in rowing). If you are into quirky dictionaries like this, then you'll enjoy it.

Excerpt from A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar TongueEngli/z Villam'ér, feven feverall times profit to death by the printers; but (ftill reviving againe) are now the eighth time (as the firfi) difcovcred by lanthorne and candle~light and the helpe of a new cryer, called O-per-fe O whofe loud voycc proclaimcs, to all that will hearc him, another confpiracy of abufcs lately plotting together, to hurt 'the peace of the kis gdom which the bellpman (becaufe he ther went {tumbling i'th' dark) coultfitever fee till now' and becaufe' a comp fly of rogues, cunning canting gypfies, and l the fcumme of our nation, fight under their tattered colours. At the end is a can'ting dié'tionary to teach. Their language, with Canting fongs. A booke to make gentlemen merry, citizens werie, countrymen carefull fit for jui'tio'es to reade bver, becaufe it is a pilot by whom they may make firange dif 'coveries. London, I 63 8.About the PublisherForgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.comThis book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

Excerpts..The merit of Captain Grose's Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue has been long and universally acknowledged. But its circulation was confined almost exclusively to the lower orders of society: he was not aware, at the time of its compilation, that our young men of fashion would at no very distant period be as distinguished for the vulgarity of their jargon as the inhabitants of Newgate; and he therefore conceived it superfluous to incorporate with his work the few examples of fashionable slang that might occur to his observation.But our Jehus of rank have a phraseology not less peculiar to themselves, than the disciples of Barrington: for the uninitiated to understand their modes of expression, is as impossible as for a Buxton to construe the Greek Testament. To sport an Upper Benjamin, and to swear with a good grace, are qualifications easily attainable by their cockney imitators; but without the aid of our additional definitions, neither the cits of Fish-street, nor the boors of Brentford would be able to attain the language of whippism. We trust, therefore, that the whole tribe of second-rate Bang Ups, will feel grateful for our endeavour to render this part of the work as complete as possible. By an occasional reference to our pages, they may be initiated into all the peculiarities of language by which the man of spirit is distinguished from the man of worth. They may now talk bawdy before their papas, without the fear of detection, and abuse their less spirited companions, who prefer a good dinner at home to a glorious UP-SHOT in the highway, without the hazard of a cudgelling.But we claim not merely the praise of gratifying curiosity, or affording assistance to the ambitious; we are very sure that the moral influence of the Lexicon Balatronicum will be more certain and extensive than that of any methodist sermon that has ever been delivered within the bills of mortality. We need not descant on the dangerous impressions that are made on the female mind, by the remarks that fall incidentally from the lips of the brothers or servants of a family; and we have before observed, that improper topics can with our assistance be discussed, even before the ladies, without raising a blush on the cheek of modesty. It is impossible that a female should understand the meaning of TWIDDLE DIDDLES, or rise from table at the mention of BUCKINGER'S BOOT. Besides, Pope assures us, that "VICE TO BE HATED NEEDS BUT TO BE SEEN;" in this volume it cannot be denied, that she is seen very plainly; and a love of virtue is, therefore, the necessary result of perusing it.The propriety of introducing the UNIVERSITY SLANG will be readily admitted; it is not less curious than that of the College in the Old Bailey and is less generally understood. When the number and accuracy of our additions are compared with the price of the volume, we have no doubt that its editors will meet with the encouragement that is due to learning, modesty, and virtue.

Do you know your abbess from your elbowshaker? Originally printed as a guide to street slang for men of quality, this reference guide will enrich your vocabulary with vulgar witticisms fashionable more than 200 years ago.The avowed purpose of this dictionary was to give men "of fashion" an insight into the inappropriate language of the street. Read in modern times it is by turn uproariously funny and deeply confusing and yet certain truths have remained—the need for the mot juste has not diminished. Many of the words should be brought back into common parlance forthwith: we have no term for the "admiral of the narrow seas," one who from drunkenness vomits into the lap of the person sitting opposite to him. We have perhaps less use for a word for "dobin rig" or "Stealing ribbons from haberdashers early in the morning or late at night; generally practised by women in the disguise of maid servants." 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 in this quirky little volume.

The merit of Captain Grose's Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue hasbeen long and universally acknowledged. But its circulation wasconfined almost exclusively to the lower orders of society: hewas not aware, at the time of its compilation, that our young menof fashion would at no very distant period be as distinguishedfor the vulgarity of their jargon as the inhabitants of Newgate;and he therefore conceived it superfluous to incorporate with hiswork the few examples of fashionable slang that might occur tohis observation.this book contain : 345 pages 8,5x 11 inch , enlish language

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