15 August 2010
The Bodleian Library is reprinting (I didn’t know they had a publishing imprint) a 1699 dictionary of slang, the earliest known dictionary of English slang. Earlier vocabulary lists of slang, or cant as the word slang does not appear until the mid-eighteenth century, exist, but they are part of larger works. This is the first stand-alone dictionary of slang. The dictionary was compiled by a gentleman known only by his initials, B.E.
Some sample entries from the Bodleian’s press release:
Anglers, c. Cheats, petty Thieves, 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.
Cackling-farts, c. Eggs.
Keeping Cully, one that Maintains a Mistress, and parts with his Money very generously to her.
Mawdlin, weepingly Drunk.
Mutton-in-long-coats, Women. A Leg of Mutton in a Silk-Stocking, a Woman’s Leg.
One of my Cosens, a Wench
This is a welcome edition of an often forgotten classic, and at a very reasonable price.
(As soon as I saw the notice, I checked the Early English Books Online database, which I know have access to via the University of Toronto library. And sure enough, the 1699 edition is in there. I’m going to like being at a university that gives me off-campus access to its resources—I’m looking at you, UC Berkeley, and not in a good way. Since I’ve got an electronic version, I probably won’t be running out and purchasing this print edition—not only am I now on a grad student’s budget, but now that I’ve slimmed down my print library to a manageable size, I’m not looking to expand it unnecessarily. But I encourage others to get it if they’re so inclined.)
(Hat tip to languagehat.)
