A Dictionary of Slang, Cant, and Vulgar Words : Used at the Present Day in the Streets of London; the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge; the Houses of Parliament; the Dens of St. Giles; and the Palaces of St. James.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Hotten, John Camden, 1832-1873

Language:

English

Physical Description:

1 online resource : multiple file formats

Place of Publication:

Salt Lake City, UT : Project Gutenberg,

Summary:

"A Dictionary of Slang, Cant, and Vulgar Words" by John Camden Hotten is a comprehensive reference work compiled in the late 19th century. It explores the rich array of slang and cant used in various contexts, particularly in London and among different social classes, while also tracing the historical and etymological roots of these terms. The text aims to catalog the ever-evolving language of the streets, capturing the essence of common parlance and the hidden dialects of marginalized groups. The opening of the dictionary introduces readers to the concept of slang and cant, highlighting their roles as secret languages among vagabonds, thieves, and the lower classes. It discusses the origins of these terms, suggesting a blend of Gipsey, Old English, and various foreign influences, and establishes the notion that such language reflects the social fabric of society. The text also includes a fascinating exploration of hieroglyphics used by beggars as a form of communication among their peers, illustrating the systematic and organized nature of their practices. Overall, this section sets the stage for a deeper examination of the diverse and intriguing lexicon that characterizes the streets of London. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Credits:

Produced by Chris Curnow, Jennifer Linklater, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive)

Notes:

Reading ease score: 74.6 (7th grade). Fairly easy to read.

Wikipedia page about this book: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Dictionary_of_Modern_Slang,_Cant,_and_Vulgar_Words

Release date is 2014-10-02