NIGHTINGALE. A soldier who, as the term is, sings out at the halberts. It is a point of honour in some regiments, among the grenadiers, never to cry out, become nightingales, whilst under the discipline of the cat of nine tails; to avoid which, they chew a bullet.

A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

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Image imitating a page from an old document, text (as in main toot): NIGHTINGALE. A soldier who, as the term is, sings out at the halberts. It is a point of honour in some regiments, among the grenadiers, never to cry out, become nightingales, whilst under the discipline of the cat of nine tails; to avoid which, they chew a bullet. A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

BADGE-COVES. Parish Pensioners. Cant.

A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

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Image imitating a page from an old document, text (as in main toot): BADGE-COVES. Parish Pensioners. Cant. A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

BELLOWSER. Transportation for life: i.e. as long.

A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

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Image imitating a page from an old document, text (as in main toot): BELLOWSER. Transportation for life: i.e. as long. A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

GINGERBREAD WORK. Gilding and carving: these terms are particularly applied by seamen on board Newcastle colliers, to the decorations of the sterns and quarters of West-Indiamen, which they have the greatest joy in defacing.

A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

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Image imitating a page from an old document, text (as in main toot): GINGERBREAD WORK. Gilding and carving: these terms are particularly applied by seamen on board Newcastle colliers, to the decorations of the sterns and quarters of West-Indiamen, which they have the greatest joy in defacing. A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

MADAM. A kept madam; a kept mistress.

A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

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Image imitating a page from an old document, text (as in main toot): MADAM. A kept madam; a kept mistress. A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

NIG. The clippings of money. Nigging; clipping. Nigler, a clipper. Cant.

A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

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Image imitating a page from an old document, text (as in main toot): NIG. The clippings of money. Nigging; clipping. Nigler, a clipper. Cant. A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

COCK HOIST. A cross buttock.

A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

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Image imitating a page from an old document, text (as in main toot): COCK HOIST. A cross buttock. A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

GUMPTION, or RUM GUMPTION. Docility, comprehension, capacity.

A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

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Image imitating a page from an old document, text (as in main toot): GUMPTION, or RUM GUMPTION. Docility, comprehension, capacity. A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

CROCUS, or CROCUS METALLORUM. A nick name for a surgeon of the army and navy.

A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

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Image imitating a page from an old document, text (as in main toot): CROCUS, or CROCUS METALLORUM. A nick name for a surgeon of the army and navy. A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

GOOSEBERRY. He played up old gooseberry among them; said of a person who, by force or threats, suddenly puts an end to a riot or disturbance.

A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

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Image imitating a page from an old document, text (as in main toot): GOOSEBERRY. He played up old gooseberry among them; said of a person who, by force or threats, suddenly puts an end to a riot or disturbance. A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

LOUSE BAG. A black bag worn to the hair or wig.

A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

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Image imitating a page from an old document, text (as in main toot): LOUSE BAG. A black bag worn to the hair or wig. A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

LOUSE BAG. A black bag worn to the hair or wig.

A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

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Image imitating a page from an old document, text (as in main toot): LOUSE BAG. A black bag worn to the hair or wig. A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

BUG. A nick name given by the Irish to Englishmen; bugs having, as it is said, been introduced into Ireland by the English.

A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

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Image imitating a page from an old document, text (as in main toot): BUG. A nick name given by the Irish to Englishmen; bugs having, as it is said, been introduced into Ireland by the English. A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

THIEF TAKERS. Fellows who associate with all kinds of villains, in order to betray them, when they have committed any of those crimes which entitle the persons taking them to a handsome reward, called blood money.

A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

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Image imitating a page from an old document, text (as in main toot): THIEF TAKERS. Fellows who associate with all kinds of villains, in order to betray them, when they have committed any of those crimes which entitle the persons taking them to a handsome reward, called blood money. A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

Hi!, I'm a bot posting selections from Francis Grose’s 1785 “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue”, a compilation of slang terms, the coded language of the underclass and the demi-monde.

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GUNPOWDER. An old Woman. CANT.

A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

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Image imitating a page from an old document, text (as in main toot): GUNPOWDER. An old Woman. CANT. A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

SPARROW-MOUTHED. Wide-mouthed, like the mouth of a sparrow: it is said of such persons, that they do not hold their mouths by lease, but have it from year to year; i.e. from ear to ear. One whose mouth cannot be enlarged without removing their ears.

A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

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Image imitating a page from an old document, text (as in main toot): SPARROW-MOUTHED. Wide-mouthed, like the mouth of a sparrow: it is said of such persons, that they do not hold their mouths by lease, but have it from year to year; i.e. from ear to ear. One whose mouth cannot be enlarged without removing their ears. A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

DANCERS. Stairs.

A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

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Image imitating a page from an old document, text (as in main toot): DANCERS. Stairs. A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

GRUB STREET. A street near Moorfields, formerly the supposed habitation of many persons who wrote for the booksellers: hence a Grub-street writer means a hackney author, who manufactures booss for the booksellers.

A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

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Image imitating a page from an old document, text (as in main toot): GRUB STREET. A street near Moorfields, formerly the supposed habitation of many persons who wrote for the booksellers: hence a Grub-street writer means a hackney author, who manufactures booss for the booksellers. A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

HAND. A sailor. We lost a hand; we lost a sailor. Bear a hand; make haste. Hand to fist; opposite: the same as tete-a-tete, or cheek by joul.

A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

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Image imitating a page from an old document, text (as in main toot): HAND. A sailor. We lost a hand; we lost a sailor. Bear a hand; make haste. Hand to fist; opposite: the same as tete-a-tete, or cheek by joul. A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

FLAT. A bubble, gull, or silly fellow.

A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

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Image imitating a page from an old document, text (as in main toot): FLAT. A bubble, gull, or silly fellow. A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

FACE-MAKING. Begetting children. To face it out; to persist in a falsity. No face but his own: a saying of one who has no money in his pocket or no court cards in his hand.

A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

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Image imitating a page from an old document, text (as in main toot): FACE-MAKING. Begetting children. To face it out; to persist in a falsity. No face but his own: a saying of one who has no money in his pocket or no court cards in his hand. A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

KNIGHT OF THE TRENCHER. A great eater.

A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

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Image imitating a page from an old document, text (as in main toot): KNIGHT OF THE TRENCHER. A great eater. A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

KNIGHT AND BARROW PIG, more hog than gentleman. A saying of any low pretender to precedency.

A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

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Image imitating a page from an old document, text (as in main toot): KNIGHT AND BARROW PIG, more hog than gentleman. A saying of any low pretender to precedency. A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

MUTTON MONGER. A man addicted to wenching.

A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

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Image imitating a page from an old document, text (as in main toot): MUTTON MONGER. A man addicted to wenching. A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

CUT. Drunk. A little cut over the head; slightly intoxicated. To cut; to leave a person or company. To cut up well; to die rich.

A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

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Image imitating a page from an old document, text (as in main toot): CUT. Drunk. A little cut over the head; slightly intoxicated. To cut; to leave a person or company. To cut up well; to die rich. A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

DICE. The names of false dice: A bale of bard cinque deuces \nA bale of flat cinque deuces \nA bale of flat sice aces \nA bale of bard cater traes \nA bale of flat cater traes \nA bale of fulhams \nA bale of light graniers \nA bale of langrets contrary to the ventage

A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

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Image imitating a page from an old document, text (as in main toot): DICE. The names of false dice: A bale of bard cinque deuces \nA bale of flat cinque deuces \nA bale of flat sice aces \nA bale of bard cater traes \nA bale of flat cater traes \nA bale of fulhams \nA bale of light graniers \nA bale of langrets contrary to the ventage A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

GEE. It won't gee; it won't hit or do, it does not suit or fit.

A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

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Image imitating a page from an old document, text (as in main toot): GEE. It won't gee; it won't hit or do, it does not suit or fit. A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

BUGABOE. A scare-babe, or bully-beggar.

A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

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Image imitating a page from an old document, text (as in main toot): BUGABOE. A scare-babe, or bully-beggar. A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

Hi!, I'm a bot posting selections from Francis Grose’s 1785 “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue”, a compilation of slang terms, the coded language of the underclass and the demi-monde.

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GUMMY. Clumsy: particularly applied to the ancles of men or women, and the legs of horses.

A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

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Image imitating a page from an old document, text (as in main toot): GUMMY. Clumsy: particularly applied to the ancles of men or women, and the legs of horses. A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

HOOF. To beat the hoof; to travel on foot. He hoofed it or beat the hoof, every step of the way from Chester to London.

A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

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Image imitating a page from an old document, text (as in main toot): HOOF. To beat the hoof; to travel on foot. He hoofed it or beat the hoof, every step of the way from Chester to London. A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

HANGMAN'S WAGES. Thirteen pence halfpenny, according to the vulgar tradition, was thus allotted: one shilling for the executioner, and three halfpence for the rope. This refers to former times; the hangmen of the present day having, like other artificers, raised their prices.

A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

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Image imitating a page from an old document, text (as in main toot): HANGMAN'S WAGES. Thirteen pence halfpenny, according to the vulgar tradition, was thus allotted: one shilling for the executioner, and three halfpence for the rope. This refers to former times; the hangmen of the present day having, like other artificers, raised their prices. A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

ROUGH. To lie rough; to lie all night in one's clothes: called also roughing it. Likewise to sleep on the bare deck of a ship, when the person is commonly advised to chuse the softest plank.

A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

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Image imitating a page from an old document, text (as in main toot): ROUGH. To lie rough; to lie all night in one's clothes: called also roughing it. Likewise to sleep on the bare deck of a ship, when the person is commonly advised to chuse the softest plank. A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

MORGLAG. A brown bill, or kind of halbert, formerly carried by watchmen; corruption of MORE, great or broad, and GLAVE, blade.

A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

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Image imitating a page from an old document, text (as in main toot): MORGLAG. A brown bill, or kind of halbert, formerly carried by watchmen; corruption of MORE, great or broad, and GLAVE, blade. A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

DUCE. Two-pence.

A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

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Image imitating a page from an old document, text (as in main toot): DUCE. Two-pence. A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

AUNT. Mine aunt; a bawd or procuress: a title of eminence for the senior dells, who serve for instructresses, midwives, &c. for the dells. CANT. See DELLS.

A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

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Image imitating a page from an old document, text (as in main toot): AUNT. Mine aunt; a bawd or procuress: a title of eminence for the senior dells, who serve for instructresses, midwives, &c. for the dells. CANT. See DELLS. A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

HOB OR NOB. Will you hob or nob with me? a question formerly in fashion at polite tables, signifying a request or challenge to drink a glass of wine with the proposer: if the party challenged answered Nob, they were to chuse whether white or red.

A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

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Image imitating a page from an old document, text (as in main toot): HOB OR NOB. Will you hob or nob with me? a question formerly in fashion at polite tables, signifying a request or challenge to drink a glass of wine with the proposer: if the party challenged answered Nob, they were to chuse whether white or red. A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

ROUND ROBIN. A mode of signing remonstrances practised by sailors on board the king's ships, wherein their names are written in a circle, so that it cannot be discovered who first signed it, or was, in other words, the ringleader.

A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

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Image imitating a page from an old document, text (as in main toot): ROUND ROBIN. A mode of signing remonstrances practised by sailors on board the king's ships, wherein their names are written in a circle, so that it cannot be discovered who first signed it, or was, in other words, the ringleader. A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

DELLS. Young buxom wenches, ripe and prone to venery, but who have not lost their virginity, which the UPRIGHT MAN claims by virtue of his prerogative; after which they become free for any of the fraternity. Also a common strumpet. CANT.

A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

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Image imitating a page from an old document, text (as in main toot): DELLS. Young buxom wenches, ripe and prone to venery, but who have not lost their virginity, which the UPRIGHT MAN claims by virtue of his prerogative; after which they become free for any of the fraternity. Also a common strumpet. CANT. A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)