NORTHUMBERLAND. Lord Northumberland's arms; a black eye: so called in the last century.

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): NORTHUMBERLAND. Lord Northumberland's arms; a black eye: so called in the last century. A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

BUTTOCK BROKER. A bawd, or match-maker. 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): BUTTOCK BROKER. A bawd, or match-maker. CANT. A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

CROSS DISHONEST. A cross cove; any person who lives by stealing or in a dishonest manner.

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): CROSS DISHONEST. A cross cove; any person who lives by stealing or in a dishonest manner. A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

July Activities in Hebrew ☀️

Event, Festivals, & Attractions are in full bloom!

#LearnHebrew #SummerTime #Language #Israel #Events

HARK-YE-ING. Whispering on one side to borrow 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): HARK-YE-ING. Whispering on one side to borrow money. A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

I thought this article might end up just being a somewhat tired regurgitation of the well known habit English speakers have of borrowing words from other languages (and enriching English). But it does bear reading - the delegitimisation of a language, Scots in this case.

http://archive.today/2026.07.16-082942/https://www.thenational.scot/politics/26284228.english-dictionary-took-scots-words-branded-slang/

#language #Scots #delegitimisation #slang #english

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From the linked article. A man reads part of the Oxford Dictionary of English with the text How the English dictionary took Scots words and branded them 'slang THE Oxford English Dictionary (OED) has delegitimised the Scots language by adding several new “Scottish” words. While English and Scots are sister languages characterised by mutual intelligibility, they are still very much separate languages with their own grammar, syntax and words. But decades of cultural oppression persist and Scots remains reduced to either slang, or, in this case, an offshoot of English. One of the recently added Scots words is “scaffie”, meaning “raggedy”. But writing as a Scots language author who spent nine years living in England, I never once heard an English-only speaker say scaffie (also spelled as scaffy). The other recent additions to the English dictionary – including “loup” and “gowp” – are even worse. READ MORE: Bòrd na Gàidhlig invites Reform for talks after attack on Gaelic language Fiona McPherson, the Scottish executive editor at the OED, said: “It’s always special when I get to work on Scottish words, and those included in this update of the OED are evocative and familiar. “While new to the OED, [others] have long established histories. Loup and gowp are found as early as the 16th and 18th centuries respectively, meaning ‘of the heart, blood: to beat or pulse rapidly or strongly’. The later sense of ‘to throb or ache with a pulsating pain’ has also been included.” There are many things wrong with this statement. The most glaring being that the dictionary’s Scottish executive editor chose to describe these words as Scottish and not examples of the Scots language – a year on from Scots receiving legal recognition and protection for the first time in history with the Scottish Languages Act. This emphasises how far we still have to go when it comes to having Scots recognised as a leid. Especially as it has legal recognition by Unesco since 2009 and the European Charter for Minority Languages since 2001. According to the OED, for a word to be included, its development needs to be researched using sources including “newspaper archives, online forums, academic studies, magazines, law tracts, recipe books, or social media for published evidence of the word”. But if the new additions are anything to go by, the Scots origins of these words have been ignored and/or reduced. While languages mix and evolve over time and a lot of words are “loaned” from one leid to another, their origins need to be acknowledged and respected, especially by an institution with as much linguistic respect as the OED.

What do you call these? ( )

#polls #language

TIL there is an opposite of "overwhelm" :

unwhelm = to raise (s.o.) up out of being overwhelmed.

There's also, of course, the humorous verb "underwhelm."

All of this implies the existence of antiwhelm, prowhelm, interwhelm, intrawhelm, withwhelm, bywhelm, inwhelm, prewhelm, postwhelm, antewhelm, diswhelm, dyswhelm, rewhelm, forwhelm, gainwhelm, throughwhelm, and counterwhelm, among many others.

#language
#etymology

GOOSE RIDING. A goose, whose neck is greased, being suspended by the legs to a cord tied to two trees or high posts, a number of men on horseback, riding full speed, attempt to pull off the head: which if they effect, the goose is their prize.

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): GOOSE RIDING. A goose, whose neck is greased, being suspended by the legs to a cord tied to two trees or high posts, a number of men on horseback, riding full speed, attempt to pull off the head: which if they effect, the goose is their prize. 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.

[18th-century-content warning: possible racism, animal cruelty, homophobia, sexism, slut-shaming. Let me know of any problems.]

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HABERDASHER OF PRONOUNS. A schoolmaster, or usher.

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): HABERDASHER OF PRONOUNS. A schoolmaster, or usher. A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

DAISY KICKERS. Ostlers at great inns.

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): DAISY KICKERS. Ostlers at great inns. A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

The sound of "laughter" in Thai!
#language #linguistics #onomatopoeia #maps

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Map of Thailand overlaid with "ฮ่า ๆ ๆ (hahaha)".

Hiberno-English word/phrase of the day:

Bualadh bos

This is one I remember from my school days! "Bualadh bos" translates literally to "banging the palms of the hands". It's the Irish term for applause, pronounced "boola bus" and is still commonly used. "Déan bualadh bos anois" ("A big clap now please") is the request of many a "Fear a tí" at a "céilí", concert or school play.

#ireland #slang #language

TO CREEME. To slip or slide any thing into the hands of another. 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): TO CREEME. To slip or slide any thing into the hands of another. CANT. A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

CARBUNCLE FACE. A red face, full of pimples.

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): CARBUNCLE FACE. A red face, full of pimples. A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

Other terms for the unemployment benefit:

"The Scratch": One of the most common terms, often used in places like Dublin. It stems from the phrase "signing on the scratcher."

"Signing On": The standard colloquial phrase for the physical or digital process of claiming jobseeker's allowance.

"The Stamp": Historically refers to the PRSI (Pay Related Social Insurance) stamp on a pay slip; hence, "being on the stamps" means you are claiming unemployment.

#ireland #slang #language

Hiberno-English word/phrase of the day:

Bru

(Also "The Buroo"; "The Brew".)

"Bru" means "unemployment benefit", "the dole" (from a mispronunciation of "bureau", as in "welfare bureau"). "He's on the bru again"; "She's been on the bru for the last five years".

In Belfast the word is given the same pronunciation as "Bórú" in the name Brian Bórú, and a Belfast person would thus say that he/she is "on the Brian".

#ireland #slang #language

PISS-PROUD. Having a false erection. That old fellow thought he had an erection, but his--was only piss-proud; said of any old fellow who marries a young wife.

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): PISS-PROUD. Having a false erection. That old fellow thought he had an erection, but his--was only piss-proud; said of any old fellow who marries a young wife. A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

With all the talk around LLMs' consciousness, I decided to chime in yet again – this time, looking at understanding.

https://brywillis634737.substack.com/p/the-250th-anniversary-of-dependence

#philosophy #epistemology #language #blog #podcast #French #understanding #artificialintelligence #llms #consciousness #exceptionalism

BLUE FLAG. He has hoisted the blue flag; he has commenced publican, or taken a public house, an allusion to the blue aprons worn by publicans. See ADMIRAL OF THE BLUE.

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): BLUE FLAG. He has hoisted the blue flag; he has commenced publican, or taken a public house, an allusion to the blue aprons worn by publicans. See ADMIRAL OF THE BLUE. A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

Hiberno-English word/phrase of the day:

Brothallach

(also "brothall")

Considering the current heatwave I thought this word appropriate! "Brothallach" means "hot (clammy) weather"; "very warm"; "sultry". As in, "it's fierce brothallach today - I think I'll go down to the Strand for a swim."

#ireland #slang #language

SHERIFF'S BALL. An execution. To dance at the sheriff's ball, and loll out one's tongue at the company; to be hanged, or go to rest in a horse's night-cap, i.e. a halter.

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): SHERIFF'S BALL. An execution. To dance at the sheriff's ball, and loll out one's tongue at the company; to be hanged, or go to rest in a horse's night-cap, i.e. a halter. A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

KATE. A picklock. 'Tis a rum kate; it is a clever picklock. 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): KATE. A picklock. 'Tis a rum kate; it is a clever picklock. CANT. A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

Hiberno-English word/phrase of the day:

Brogue

1. A "brogue" (Irish "bróg") is a stout shoe. Brogue-making was a trade in olden times, and differed from shoe-making, as a brogue was handmade with thong stitches and not hempen thread.

#ireland #slang #language

GOODYER'S PIG. Like Goodyer's pig; never well but when in mischief.

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): GOODYER'S PIG. Like Goodyer's pig; never well but when in mischief. A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

Why does the things happening in the USA seem so familiar…?

#USA #fascism #language #truth #freedom #victory #1984

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Donald Trump and Newsmax posting on and about Truth Social

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A news headline: "What to know about the Trump-backed Freedom Fuel Network gas stations

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Two clips from the book Nineteen Eighty-Four: "From somewhere at the bottom of a passage the smell of roasting coffee — real coffee, not Victory Coffee — came floating out into the street. Winston paused involuntarily. For perhaps two seconds he was back in the half-forgotten world of his childhood. Then a door banged, seeming to cut off the smell as abruptly as though it had been a sound." "He had lugged out a huge and fi lthy pipe which was already half full of charred tobacco. With the tobacco ration at 100 grammes a week it was seldom possible to fi ll a pipe to the top. Winston was smoking a Victory Cigarette which he held care- fully horizontal. The new ration did not start till tomorrow and he had only four cigarettes left."

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Another clip from the book: "‘Which sub is that?’ said Winston, automatically feeling for money. About a quarter of one’s salary had to be earmarked for voluntary subscriptions, which were so numerous that it was dif- fi cult to keep track of them. ‘For Hate Week. You know — the house-by-house fund. I’m treasurer for our block. We’re making an all-out effort — going to put on a tremendous show. I tell you, it won’t be my fault if old Victory Mansions doesn’t have the biggest outfi t of flags in the whole street. Two dollars you promised me.’"

BLUE BOAR. A venereal bubo.

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): BLUE BOAR. A venereal bubo. A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

Hiberno-English word/phrase of the day:

Bowsie

(also bousey, bousy, bowsey, bowsy, bouzzie)

A "bowsie" is a disreputable drunkard, a lout, a quarrelsome drunkard. Example: "Let's not go into that pub - it's full of bowsies." And the verb "bousen" means to drink to excess, "bowsying around". Nowadays the word "bowsie" includes all forms of repellent behaviour, not just drunkenness.

#ireland #slang #language

MANUFACTURE. Liquors prepared from materials of English growth.

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): MANUFACTURE. Liquors prepared from materials of English growth. A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

I share my core philosophical positions on Substack.

https://brywillis634737.substack.com/p/a-provisional-map-of-my-philosophical?r=pvxh5

See map and hashtags for content guidance.

#philosophy #metaphilosophy #ontology #objectivity #selfhood #ontologicalgrammar #language #languageinsufficiency #minds #ai #artificialintelligence #ethics #agency #substack #blog #podcast #video #subjectivity #institutions #law #map #history #politics #governance

MUTE. An undertaker's servant, who stands at the door of a person lying in state: so named from being supposed mute with grief.

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): MUTE. An undertaker's servant, who stands at the door of a person lying in state: so named from being supposed mute with grief. A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

Hiberno-English word/phrase of the day:

Bother

In Ireland, "bother" isn't just a noun; it's heavily used as a verb for complaining, as in "giving out". The iconic phrase "no bother" means "no trouble at all" or "you're welcome".

As for its origins that is uncertain. One theory is that bother is the surviving form of an archaic English word “pother”, meaning fuss or commotion, or in some cases an atmosphere confused by thick smoke.

#ireland #slang #language

To NAB. To seize, or catch unawares. To nab the teaze; to be privately whipped. To nab the stoop; to stand in the pillory. To nab the rust; a jockey term for a horse that becomes restive. To nab the snow: to steal linen left out to bleach or dry. 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): To NAB. To seize, or catch unawares. To nab the teaze; to be privately whipped. To nab the stoop; to stand in the pillory. To nab the rust; a jockey term for a horse that becomes restive. To nab the snow: to steal linen left out to bleach or dry. CANT. A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

Hebrew Isn’t Faster!

Click to Join the Conversation or Comment “FAST” for the link 🏃🏻‍♀️

https://youtu.be/MAyUfFuik4Y?is=pPLv0--Uc98VHJYQ

#Jewish #Language #Hebrew #LanguageVideo #LearnHebrew

CONTENT. A thick liquor, in imitation of chocolate, made of milk and gingerbread.

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): CONTENT. A thick liquor, in imitation of chocolate, made of milk and gingerbread. 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.

[18th-century-content warning: possible racism, animal cruelty, homophobia, sexism, slut-shaming. Let me know of any problems.]

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MUGGLETONIANS. The sect or disciples of Lodowick Muggleton.

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): MUGGLETONIANS. The sect or disciples of Lodowick Muggleton. A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

COLD IRON. A sword, or any other weapon for cutting or stabbing. I gave him two inches of cold iron into his beef.

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): COLD IRON. A sword, or any other weapon for cutting or stabbing. I gave him two inches of cold iron into his beef. A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

Torpenhow Hill, England

When the Saxons arrived and asked the locals what that hill was called, the Welsh replied, “Pen,” which simply means hill in Welsh.

The Saxons, apparently not spotting they’d already been given the full answer, added their own word for hill: tor. So it became Torpen - literally Hill Hill.
@LairdOfThManor #globalmuseum #language

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Torpenhow sign