The Vulgar Tongue: Buckish Slang and Pickpocket Eloquence

by Francis Grose

flash lingo n. The canting or slang language A fascinating and hilarious collection of all the words and phrases that raised eyebrows in the 18th century. The original 1796 alternative dictionary of 'The Vulgar Tongue', educated readers in the correct usage of colloquialisms, slang and old English idioms. Includes those familiar entries such as 'mealy-mouthed', originally meaning over-modest, and revives classics that should never have been forgotten, such as 'apple dumplin shop' for a woman's bosom, 'nit squeeger' (a hairdresser) and 'flaybottomist' (a teacher). So, you won't be a 'Jason's Fleece' if you buy this book. In fact, take full advantage of the Vulgar Tongue and you'll be much less of a 'nigmenog'. No true aspiring vulgarite should leave home without it!

Genres: Language, Nonfiction, Reference, History, Dictionaries

316 pages

First published January 1, 1785

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

[Graychin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A 1785 dictionary of slang? Yes, please. This was a gift from a friend who apparently knows me very well. Fantastic stuff. On every page I learn something new and laugh out loud.

[Jenny Schmenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Buckish Slang and Pickpocket Eloquence?" Originally printed in 1785 and full of gems like:

flogging cully: A debilitated lecher (commonly an old one), whose torpid powers require stimulating by flagellation.

jibber the kibber: A method of deceiving seamen, by fixing a candle and lantern round the neck of a horse, one of whose fore feet is tied up; this at night has the appearance of a ship's light. ships bearing towards it, run on shore, and being wrecked, are plundered by the inhabitants. This diabolical devise is, it is said, practiced by the inhabitants of our western coasts.

jerrycummumble: To shake, towzle, or tumble about.

Need I say more?

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank goodness Captain Grose decided to collect these slang terms and colloaquialisms into a dictionary; they might have been lost forever otherwise. As Alistair Williams says in the introduction, 'they present us with a fascinating window on the lives of ordinary people at the end of the eighteenth century...Grose captures a bawdy culture alive with its own rich language.'

[Sally Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is just a fun, fabulous read. Absolutely silly. Having been first published in 1785 (I think...? Now I feel like I should go check...) this book has seriously delightful slang from the era.

An improvement could be made if their was a Table of Contents or Index.

[Nicole]

Funny and Interesting

[Raving Redcoat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating look at slang of the late 18th century. A good addition to the shelf of anyone interested in that period.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

sassy!

a wonderful glossary of vulgar terms to integrate into everyday life.

[Peter Ferraro · Rating 5 out of 5]

More dictionary than anything, but loads of fun to flip through.