A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue

by Francis Grose

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Genres: Nonfiction, Writing

274 pages, Hardcover

Published August 11, 2015

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

[Eggp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just a little nap
sometimes you need a stiff drink
pity David's sow.

[Steve Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

As this book is essentially a dictionary, it does not really make for good reading from cover to cover. However, as a historical reference book that gives an insight into what was considered to be slang and expletives in 1785 and exhibits how the English language has evolved it is excellent. This book is actually a facsimile of a first edition of Captain Francis Grose’s book that any pre-teen schoolboy would have given his right arm for: a dictionary of rude words!

[John Caviglia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful, and wonderfully vulgar (in both senses). A mother lode for those writing historical fiction in the English of the latter half of the 18th and early 19th centuries. A Rabelaisian hoot for pretty much everybody else. I found my copy remaindered, but Project Gutenberg makes it available at: http://www.gutenberg.org/files/5402/5...

And I forgot to mention, the author's name is Francis Grose. Perfect!

[Lee Rowan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very useful for a writer of historical fiction - EXCEPT that it really needs an index. Fun to browse but frustrating when you would like to find a word fast.

[Gerardo Pleasent · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eye opening journey into early 19th century English slang.

[Reader · Rating 2 out of 5]

This dictionary is mediocre.

Lemprière's Classical Dictionary is so much better.