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TheVulgarTongue Bot

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Bot account posting selections from Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue”

CW: 18th-century levels of racism, homophobia, sexism, slut-shaming and negative attitudes to sex workers.

But on the other hand, someone non-judgmentally recorded the speech and codes of people on the outside of polite society, people in the demi-monde and otherwise forgotten by history.

Let me know of any problems.

#books #literature #dictionaries #history #society #crime #language #slang #18thCentury

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TheVulgarTongue Bot , to histodons group
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HEDGE WHORE. An itinerant harlot, who bilks the bagnios and bawdy-houses, by disposing of her favours on the wayside, under a hedge; a low beggarly prostitute.

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

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@histodons

TheVulgarTongue OP Bot ,
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@AdrianRiskin @histodons
Unless "bilk" also had a different meaning back then?

TheVulgarTongue OP Bot ,
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@angiebaby @histodons
See you in the hedge, bestie!

TheVulgarTongue Bot , to histodons group
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LAGE. Water. CANT.

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

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TheVulgarTongue Bot , to histodons group
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TOMMY. Soft Tommy, or white Tommy; bread is so called by sailors, to distinguish it from biscuit. Brown Tommy: ammunition bread for soldiers; or brown bread given to convicts at the hulks.

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

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@histodons

Image imitating a page from an old document, text (as in main toot): TOMMY. Soft Tommy, or white Tommy; bread is so called by sailors, to distinguish it from biscuit. Brown Tommy: ammunition bread for soldiers; or brown bread given to convicts at the hulks. A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)
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    • TheVulgarTongue Bot , to histodons group
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    GILL. The abbreviation of Gillian, figuratively used for woman. Every jack has his gill; i.e. every jack has his gillian, or female mate.

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

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    @histodons

    Image imitating a page from an old document, text (as in main toot): GILL. The abbreviation of Gillian, figuratively used for woman. Every jack has his gill; i.e. every jack has his gillian, or female mate. A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)
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    • TheVulgarTongue Bot , to histodons group
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    GULL. A simple credulous fellow, easily cheated.

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

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    TheVulgarTongue Bot , to histodons group
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    DRAWING THE KING'S PICTURE. Coining. CANT.

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

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    TheVulgarTongue Bot , to histodons group
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    BACON-FACED. Full-faced.

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

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    TheVulgarTongue Bot , to histodons group
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    GUTTING A QUART POT. Taking out the lining of it: i. e. drinking it off. Gutting an oyster; eating it. Gutting a house; clearing it of its furniture. See POULTERER.

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

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    TheVulgarTongue Bot , to histodons group
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    CLOUD. Tobacco. Under a cloud; in adversity.

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

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    TheVulgarTongue Bot , to histodons group
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    GRANNY. An abbreviation of grandmother; also the name of an idiot, famous for licking, her eye, who died Nov. 14, 1719. Go teach your granny to suck eggs; said to such as would instruct any one in a matter he knows better than themselves.

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

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    @histodons

    Image imitating a page from an old document, text (as in main toot): GRANNY. An abbreviation of grandmother; also the name of an idiot, famous for licking, her eye, who died Nov. 14, 1719. Go teach your granny to suck eggs; said to such as would instruct any one in a matter he knows better than themselves. A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)
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    • TheVulgarTongue Bot , to histodons group
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    BANG UP. (WHIP.) Quite the thing, hellish fine. Well done. Compleat. Dashing. In a handsome stile. A bang up cove; a dashing fellow who spends his money freely. To bang up prime: to bring your horses up in a dashing or fine style.

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

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    @histodons

    Image imitating a page from an old document, text (as in main toot): BANG UP. (WHIP.) Quite the thing, hellish fine. Well done. Compleat. Dashing. In a handsome stile. A bang up cove; a dashing fellow who spends his money freely. To bang up prime: to bring your horses up in a dashing or fine style. A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)
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    • TheVulgarTongue Bot , to histodons group
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    HOSTELER, i.e. oat stealer. Hosteler was originally the name for an inn-keeper; inns being in old English styled hostels, from the French signifying the same.

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

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    @histodons

    Image imitating a page from an old document, text (as in main toot): HOSTELER, i.e. oat stealer. Hosteler was originally the name for an inn-keeper; inns being in old English styled hostels, from the French signifying the same. A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)
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    • TheVulgarTongue Bot , to histodons group
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    PRICK-EARED. A prick-eared fellow; one whose ears are longer than his hair: an appellation frequently given to puritans, who considered long hair as the mark of the whore of Babylon.

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

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    @histodons

    Image imitating a page from an old document, text (as in main toot): PRICK-EARED. A prick-eared fellow; one whose ears are longer than his hair: an appellation frequently given to puritans, who considered long hair as the mark of the whore of Babylon. A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)
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    • TheVulgarTongue Bot , to histodons group
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    DISHED UP. He is completely dished up; he is totally ruined. To throw a thing in one's dish; to reproach or twit one with any particular matter.

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

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    @histodons

    Image imitating a page from an old document, text (as in main toot): DISHED UP. He is completely dished up; he is totally ruined. To throw a thing in one's dish; to reproach or twit one with any particular matter. A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)
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    • TheVulgarTongue Bot , to histodons group
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    CURSE OF GOD. A cockade.

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

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    TheVulgarTongue Bot , to histodons group
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    CLOVER. To be, or live, in clover; to live luxuriously. Clover is the most desirable food for cattle.

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

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    TheVulgarTongue Bot , to histodons group
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    IMPUDENT STEALING. Cutting out the backs of coaches, and robbing the seats.

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

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    TheVulgarTongue Bot , to histodons group
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    CAT CALL. A kind of whistle, chiefly used at theatres, to interrupt the actors, and damn a new piece. It derives its name from one of its sounds, which greatly resembles the modulation of an intriguing boar cat.

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

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    @histodons

    TheVulgarTongue OP Bot ,
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    @JoBlakely @histodons

    My guess is it simply means tomcat, i.e. a male cat.

    But I'll dig out the full OED and see if there's anything there.

    TheVulgarTongue Bot , to histodons group
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    CROSS. To come home by weeping cross; to repent at the conclusion.

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

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    TheVulgarTongue Bot , to histodons group
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    DRAGOONING IT. A man who occupies two branches of one profession, is said to dragoon it; because, like the soldier of that denomination, he serves in a double capacity. Such is a physician who furnishes the medicines, and compounds his own prescriptions.

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

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    @histodons

    Image imitating a page from an old document, text (as in main toot): DRAGOONING IT. A man who occupies two branches of one profession, is said to dragoon it; because, like the soldier of that denomination, he serves in a double capacity. Such is a physician who furnishes the medicines, and compounds his own prescriptions. A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)
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    • TheVulgarTongue Bot , to histodons group
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    CLINKERS. A kind of small Dutch bricks; also irons worn by prisoners; a crafty fellow.

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

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    TheVulgarTongue Bot , to histodons group
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    GAGE, or FOGUS. A pipe of tobacco.

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

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    TheVulgarTongue Bot , to histodons group
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    VINCENT'S LAW. The art of cheating at cards, composed of the following associates: bankers, those who play booty; the gripe, he that betteth; and the person cheated, who is styled the vincent; the gains acquired, termage.

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

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    @histodons

    Image imitating a page from an old document, text (as in main toot): VINCENT'S LAW. The art of cheating at cards, composed of the following associates: bankers, those who play booty; the gripe, he that betteth; and the person cheated, who is styled the vincent; the gains acquired, termage. A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)
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    • TheVulgarTongue Bot , to histodons group
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    CAPRICORNIFIED. Cuckolded, hornified.

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

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    TheVulgarTongue Bot , to histodons group
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    BANAGHAN. He beats Banaghan; an Irish saying of one who tells wonderful stories. Perhaps Banaghan was a minstrel famous for dealing in the marvellous.

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

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    TheVulgarTongue Bot , to histodons group
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    MONEY. A girl's private parts, commonly applied to little children: as, Take care, Miss, or you will shew your money.

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

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    TheVulgarTongue Bot , to histodons group
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    FRENCH DISEASE. The venereal disease, said to have been imported from France. French gout; the same. He suffered by a blow over the snout with a French faggot-stick; i.e. he lost his nose by the pox.

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

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    @histodons

    Image imitating a page from an old document, text (as in main toot): FRENCH DISEASE. The venereal disease, said to have been imported from France. French gout; the same. He suffered by a blow over the snout with a French faggot-stick; i.e. he lost his nose by the pox. A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)
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    • TheVulgarTongue Bot , to histodons group
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    SAVE-ALL. A kind of candlestick used by our frugal forefathers, to burn snuffs and ends of candles. Figuratively, boys running about gentlemen's houses in Ireland, who are fed on broken meats that would otherwise be wasted, also a miser.

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

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    @histodons

    Image imitating a page from an old document, text (as in main toot): SAVE-ALL. A kind of candlestick used by our frugal forefathers, to burn snuffs and ends of candles. Figuratively, boys running about gentlemen's houses in Ireland, who are fed on broken meats that would otherwise be wasted, also a miser. A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)
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    • TheVulgarTongue Bot , to histodons group
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    WINDER. Transportation for life. The blowen has napped a winder for a lift; the wench is transported for life for stealing in a shop.

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

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    TheVulgarTongue Bot , to histodons group
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    LOCK. Character. He stood a queer lock; he bore but an indifferent character. A lock is also a buyer of stolen goods, as well as the receptacle for them.

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

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    @histodons

    Image imitating a page from an old document, text (as in main toot): LOCK. Character. He stood a queer lock; he bore but an indifferent character. A lock is also a buyer of stolen goods, as well as the receptacle for them. A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)
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    • TheVulgarTongue Bot , to histodons group
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    HUM BOX. A pulpit.

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

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    TheVulgarTongue Bot , to histodons group
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    WISE MEN OF GOTHAM. Gotham is a village in Nottinghamshire; its magistrates are said to have attempted to hedge in a cuckow; a bush, called the cuckow's bush, is still shewn in support of the tradition. A thousand other ridiculous stories are told of the men of Gotham.

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

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    @histodons

    Image imitating a page from an old document, text (as in main toot): WISE MEN OF GOTHAM. Gotham is a village in Nottinghamshire; its magistrates are said to have attempted to hedge in a cuckow; a bush, called the cuckow's bush, is still shewn in support of the tradition. A thousand other ridiculous stories are told of the men of Gotham. A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)
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    • TheVulgarTongue Bot , to histodons group
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    NIFFYNAFFY FELLOW. A trifler.

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

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    TheVulgarTongue Bot , to histodons group
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    GIB CAT. A northern name for a he cat, there commonly called Gilbert. As melancholy as a gib cat; as melancholy as a he cat who has been caterwauling, whence they always return scratched, hungry, and out of spirits.

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

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    @histodons

    Image imitating a page from an old document, text (as in main toot): GIB CAT. A northern name for a he cat, there commonly called Gilbert. As melancholy as a gib cat; as melancholy as a he cat who has been caterwauling, whence they always return scratched, hungry, and out of spirits. A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)
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    • TheVulgarTongue Bot , to histodons group
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    JUKRUM. A licence.

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

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    TheVulgarTongue Bot , to histodons group
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    FLEA BITE. A trifling injury. To send any one away with a flea in his ear; to give any one a hearty scolding.

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

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    TheVulgarTongue Bot , to histodons group
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    DRAG. To go on the drag; to follow a cart or waggon, in order to rob it. CANT.

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

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    TheVulgarTongue Bot , to histodons group
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    HUMPTY DUMPTY. A little humpty dumpty man or woman; a short clumsy person of either sex: also ale boiled with brandy.

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

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    TheVulgarTongue Bot , to histodons group
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    HARP. To harp upon; to dwell upon a subject. Have among you, my blind harpers; an expression used in throwing or shooting at random among the crowd.

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

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    @histodons

    TheVulgarTongue OP Bot ,
    @TheVulgarTongue@zirk.us avatar

    @1dalm @histodons
    I see what you mean, but that's not what's happening here?

    "HARP" is the headword. Two examples of the word "harp" or its derivatives, used in context, then follow.

    TheVulgarTongue Bot , to histodons group
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    CALLE. A cloak or gown. CANT.

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

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    TheVulgarTongue Bot , to histodons group
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    LAMB'S WOOL. Apples roasted and put into strong ale.

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

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    TheVulgarTongue Bot , to histodons group
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    AMBASSADOR. A trick to duck some ignorant fellow or landsman, frequently played on board ships in the warm latitudes.

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

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    TheVulgarTongue Bot , to histodons group
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    TO BEAR THE BELL. To excel or surpass all competitors, to be the principal in a body or society; an allusion to the fore horse or leader of a team, whose harness is commonly ornamented with a bell or bells.

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

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    @histodons

    Image imitating a page from an old document, text (as in main toot): TO BEAR THE BELL. To excel or surpass all competitors, to be the principal in a body or society; an allusion to the fore horse or leader of a team, whose harness is commonly ornamented with a bell or bells. A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)
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    • TheVulgarTongue Bot , to histodons group
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    GUNNER'S DAUGHTER. To kiss the gunner's daughter; to be tied to a gun and flogged on the posteriors; a mode of punishing boys on board a ship of war.

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

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    @histodons

    Image imitating a page from an old document, text (as in main toot): GUNNER'S DAUGHTER. To kiss the gunner's daughter; to be tied to a gun and flogged on the posteriors; a mode of punishing boys on board a ship of war. A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)
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