Secret language / Barry J. Blake.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Blake, Barry J.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Historical linguistics.

Ciphers.

Cryptography.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (341 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

New York : Oxford University Press, 2010.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

This book is about language designed to mean what it does not seem to mean. Ciphers and codes conceal messages and protect secrets. Symbol and magic hide meanings to imperil or delight. Languages made to baffle and confuse let insiders talk openly without being understood by those beyond the circle. Barry Blake looks in depth at these and many more. He explores the history and uses of the slangs and argots of schools and trades. He traces the histories of centuries-old cants such asthose used by sailors and criminals, among them polari, the mix of Italian, Yiddish, and slang spoken once among

Contents:

Contents; Illustrations; Acknowledgements; 1 On being mysterious; 2 From anagrams to cryptic crosswords; 3 Talking in riddles; 4 Ciphers and codes; 5 Biblical secrets; 6 Words of power; 7 Words to avoid; 8 Jargon, slang, argot, and 'secret languages'; 9 The everyday oblique; 10 Elusive allusions; 11 Finale; Appendix: answers to the problems; Select bibliography; Index

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 304-320) and index.

ISBN:

1-282-69513-4

9786612695131

0-19-157371-X

OCLC:

604672723