Francis Grose

Reproduction of the original. The publishing house Megali specialises in reproducing historical works in large print to make reading easier for people with impaired vision.

Reproduction of the original. The publishing house Megali specialises in reproducing historical works in large print to make reading easier for people with impaired vision.

Francis Grose published the 1811 Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue, a book that includes a list of slang terms and expressions that were widely used in London and other English towns in the late 18th century. The dictionary gives definitions for numerous slang terms as well as information on where they came from, how to use them, and some real-world use examples. For linguists, historians, and anybody else interested in the evolution of slang and the history of the English language, Grose's book is an invaluable resource. It throws information on the attitudes and ideas of the individuals who employed these vibrant expressions in their everyday lives and sheds light on the social and cultural backdrop of the period.

The "1811 Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue," was written by Francis Grose (a British soldier) just after the American Revolution. In those days, the word vulgar meant slang (although some of Grose's definitions are admittedly vulgar). The book was so controversial, it was banned in military camps at the time. Some of the definitions are really funny, even today. Others are educational, entertaining, or both. Readers of this book will have a better understanding of how people spoke over a century ago. Rife with put-downs, the book will also provide plenty of fodder for insulting friends. It is an old dictionary of words that will "pitch kettle" (confound) people if you actually use them. Some of the phrases and terms, such as "to catch a crab" (to fall backwards by missing one's stroke in rowing), are still being used today. If you are into quirky dictionaries like this, you will enjoy this book