Book dossier

The slang dictionary

by John Camden Hotten

Within this work, one will find the Dictionary of Modern Slang, Cant and Vulgar Words issued in London in 1859. This 1869 edition now contains "nearly 100,000 words and phrases commonly deemed 'vulgar' but which are used by the highest and the lowest, the best, the wisest, as well as the worst and most ignorant of society." Included is a glossary of "back slang" words used by the costermongers of London and rhyming slang – a secret language of chaunters and patterers!