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9781851243877 English 1851243879 It s a shame that so many very apt words fall out of common use over time, like blobber-lippd, which means having lips that are very thick, hanging down, or turning over; and chounter, which is to talk pertly, and sometimes angrily. Both words can be found in "The First English Dictionary of Slang," originally published in 1699 as "A New Dictionary of Terms, Ancient and Modern, of the Canting Crew" by B. E. Gentleman. Though a number of early texts, beginning in the sixteenth century, codified forms of cant the slang language of the criminal underworld in word lists which appeared as appendices or parts of larger volumes, the dictionary of 1699 was the first work dedicated to slang words and their meanings. It aimed to educate the more polite classes in the language and, consequently, the methods of thieves and vagabonds, protecting the innocent from cant speakers and their activities. This dictionary is also the first that attempts to show the overlap and integration between canting words and common slang words. Refusing to distinguish between criminal vocabulary and the more ordinary everyday English of the period, it sets canting words side by side with terms used in domestic culture and those used by sailors and laborers. With such a democratic attitude toward words, this text is genuinely a modern dictionary, as well as the first attempt by dictionary makers to catalog the ever-changing world of English slang. Reproduced here with an introduction by John Simpson, chief editor of the "Oxford English Dictionary," describing the history and culture of canting in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, as well as the evolution of English slang, this is a fascinating volume for all who marvel at words and may wish to reclaim a few say, to dabble in the parlance of a seventeenth-century sailor one day and that of a vagabond the next.", Written originally for the education of the polite London classes in 'canting' - the language of thieves and ruffians - should they be so unlucky as to wander into the 'wrong' parts of town, A New Dictionary of Terms, Ancient and Modern, of the Canting Crew by 'B.E. Gent' is the first work dedicated solely to the subject of slang words and their meanings. It is also the first text which attempts to show the overlap and integration between canting words and common slang. In its refusal to distinguish between criminal vocabulary and the more ordinary everyday English of the period, it sets canting words side by side with terms used by sailors, labourers, and those in the common currency of domestic culture.With an introduction by John Simpson, chief editor of the Oxford English Dictionary, describing the history and culture of canting in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, as well as the evolution of English slang, this is a fascinating volume for anyone with a curiosity about language, or wishing to reintroduce 'Dandyprat' or 'Fizzle' into their everyday conversation.Anglers, c Cheats, petty Thievs, who have a Stick with a hook at the end, with which they pluck things out of Windows, Grates, &c. also those that draw in People to be cheated.Dandyprat, a little puny Fellow.Grumbletonians, Malecontents, out of Humour with the Government, for want of a Place, or having lost one.Strum, c. a Periwig. Rum-Strum, c. a long Wig; also a handsom Wench, or Strumpet.
9781851243877 English 1851243879 It s a shame that so many very apt words fall out of common use over time, like blobber-lippd, which means having lips that are very thick, hanging down, or turning over; and chounter, which is to talk pertly, and sometimes angrily. Both words can be found in "The First English Dictionary of Slang," originally published in 1699 as "A New Dictionary of Terms, Ancient and Modern, of the Canting Crew" by B. E. Gentleman. Though a number of early texts, beginning in the sixteenth century, codified forms of cant the slang language of the criminal underworld in word lists which appeared as appendices or parts of larger volumes, the dictionary of 1699 was the first work dedicated to slang words and their meanings. It aimed to educate the more polite classes in the language and, consequently, the methods of thieves and vagabonds, protecting the innocent from cant speakers and their activities. This dictionary is also the first that attempts to show the overlap and integration between canting words and common slang words. Refusing to distinguish between criminal vocabulary and the more ordinary everyday English of the period, it sets canting words side by side with terms used in domestic culture and those used by sailors and laborers. With such a democratic attitude toward words, this text is genuinely a modern dictionary, as well as the first attempt by dictionary makers to catalog the ever-changing world of English slang. Reproduced here with an introduction by John Simpson, chief editor of the "Oxford English Dictionary," describing the history and culture of canting in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, as well as the evolution of English slang, this is a fascinating volume for all who marvel at words and may wish to reclaim a few say, to dabble in the parlance of a seventeenth-century sailor one day and that of a vagabond the next.", Written originally for the education of the polite London classes in 'canting' - the language of thieves and ruffians - should they be so unlucky as to wander into the 'wrong' parts of town, A New Dictionary of Terms, Ancient and Modern, of the Canting Crew by 'B.E. Gent' is the first work dedicated solely to the subject of slang words and their meanings. It is also the first text which attempts to show the overlap and integration between canting words and common slang. In its refusal to distinguish between criminal vocabulary and the more ordinary everyday English of the period, it sets canting words side by side with terms used by sailors, labourers, and those in the common currency of domestic culture.With an introduction by John Simpson, chief editor of the Oxford English Dictionary, describing the history and culture of canting in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, as well as the evolution of English slang, this is a fascinating volume for anyone with a curiosity about language, or wishing to reintroduce 'Dandyprat' or 'Fizzle' into their everyday conversation.Anglers, c Cheats, petty Thievs, who have a Stick with a hook at the end, with which they pluck things out of Windows, Grates, &c. also those that draw in People to be cheated.Dandyprat, a little puny Fellow.Grumbletonians, Malecontents, out of Humour with the Government, for want of a Place, or having lost one.Strum, c. a Periwig. Rum-Strum, c. a long Wig; also a handsom Wench, or Strumpet.