In 1785, Captain Francis Grose compiled A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue – an impressive compilation of the choice vocabulary he heard in the less genteel areas of London. It’s still in print (a pocket version was published by Chronicle Books earlier this year) and is testament to the values of its time – and the evolving wonders of the English language. A few choice definitions follow:
A BLOWSE or BLOWSABELLA: A woman whose hair is dishevelled, and hanging around her face; a slattern
BUMFIDDLE: The backside, the breech.
CATCH FART: A footboy: so called from such servants commonly following close behind their master or mistress.
CRINKUM CRANKUM: A woman’s commodity
FLASH LINGO: The canting or slang language
GOTCH-GUTTED: Pot-bellied: a gotch in Norfolk signifying a pitcher, or a large round jug.
JOHNNY BUM: A he or jack ass; so called by a lady that affected to be extremely polite and modest, who would not say jack because it was vulgar, nor ass because it was indecent.
JUST-ASS: A punning appellation for a justice.
NOB: The head
TALLYWAGS or TARRYWAGS: A man’s testicles.
If a bit of a swear-up makes you feel better occasionally you are not alone and you might like to read our feature Strong Words on p44 of our June issue by Frances Ambler. It features lots of examples of the ways in which swearing can be good for you, including a look at the work of Whitstable’s Profanity Emrboidery Group (pictured above) - @pegwhistable
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