Lobcocks and Fartleberries: 18th-Century Insults to Confound Your Foes

by Francis Grose

A selection from the original slang dictionary The Vulgar Tongue , including such gems as "Bitch Bobby" (a country wench) and lobcock (a large relaxed penis or a dull inanimate fellow)  If someone called you a beetle-browed bastardly gullion and told you to shut your bone box, would you be offended? If you lived in 1785, you most certainly would! Harking back to a time when insults and rude words were considerably more colorful, this collection is one that no true aspiring vulgarite or rude language lover should be without.

Genres: Nonfiction, History

128 pages, Paperback

First published October 4, 2010

About the author

Francis Grose 1731 - 1791) was an English antiquary, draughtsman, and lexicographer. He produced A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue (1785) and A Provincial Glossary, with a Collection of Local Proverbs, and Popular Superstitions (1787).

Reviews

[Nancy Brady · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun dictionary of insults from the 18th century. From Addle Plot (a spoil-sport, a mar-all) to a Zouch (a slovenly, un-genteel man; a slouched hat), there are new ways to insult people without their knowledge and more inventive ways to talk (Devil Driver, AKA a parson).

[Amirah A Bakar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deeply amusing. I would said in front of people and they won't understand a thing. Good for my vocabulary and to let out stress without feeling guilty.

[Gem]

I couldn't resist getting this! Makes me laugh.

[Chester Clement · Rating 4 out of 5]

hilarious stuff from the ol' days! speaking of the 18th century! hah!