DING DONG. Helter skelter, in a hasty disorderly manner.

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

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QUEER STREET. Wrong. Improper. Contrary to one's wish. It is queer street, a cant phrase, to signify that it is wrong or different to our wish.

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

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SHOEMAKER'S STOCKS. New, or strait shoes. I was in the shoemaker's stocks; i.e. had on a new pair of shoes that were too small for me.

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

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WORM. To worm out; to obtain the knowledge of a secret by craft, also to undermine or supplant. He is gone to the diet of worms; he is dead and buried, or gone to Rothisbone.

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

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LITTLE BREECHES. A familiar appellation used to a little boy.

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

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NUBBING. Hanging. Nubbing cheat: the gallows. Nubbing cove; the hangman. Nubbing ken; the sessions house.

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

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To SIZE. (CAMBRIDGE) To sup at one's own expence. If a MAN asks you to SUP, he treats you; if to SIZE, you pay for what you eat--liquors ONLY being provided by the inviter.

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

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MOT. A girl, or wench. See MORT.

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

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ARSY YARSEY. To fall arsy varsey, i.e. head over heels.

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

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HANDLE. To know how to handle one's fists; to be skilful in the art of boxing. The cove flashes a rare handle to his physog; the fellow has a large nose.

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

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GREENWICH GOOSE. A pensioner of Greenwich Hospital.

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

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PAINTER. I'll cut your painter for you; I'll send you off; the painter being the rope that holds the boat fast to the ship. SEA TERM.

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

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JOB'S COMFORT. Reproof instead of consolation.

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

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'Scammered': drunk
#victorian #drinking #slang

ROUNDHEADS. A term of reproach to the puritans and partizans of Oliver Cromwell, and the Rump Parliament, who it is said made use of a bowl as a guide to trim their hair.

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

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Join us next week for the next installment of Getting Started with Slang! This webinar will be on the Reflections API.

When: July 8th at 8:00am PDT
Learn more and register: https://shader-slang.org/event/2025/06/04/getting-started-with-slang-reflections-api/
#Slang #Reflections #API

CRIBBEYS, or CRIBBY ISLANDS. Blind alleys, courts, or bye-ways; perhaps from the houses built there being cribbed out of the common way or passage; and islands, from the similarity of sound to the Caribbee Islands.

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

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LACED MUTTON. A prostitute.

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

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BUTT. A dependant, poor relation, or simpleton, on whom all kinds of practical jokes are played off; and who serves as a butt for all the shafts of wit and ridicule.

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

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NORWAY NECKCLOTH. The pillory, usually made of Norway fir.

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

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