The earliest work on American vulgarisms. Originally published in a series of Essays, entitled the Druid, which appeared in a periodical in 1761.
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS, &c.
- A.N.—Anglo-Norman.
- Ancient, or Ancient English—Whenever these terms are employed, it is meant to signify that the words to which they are attached were in respectable use in or previous to the reign of Elizabeth.—See Old.
- Ancient Cant—In use as a cant word in or previous to the reign of Elizabeth.
- A.S.—Anglo-Saxon.
- Beds.—Bedfordshire.
- Cor.—A corruption.
- East.—Used in the Eastern Counties.
- Eng.—English.
- Fren.—French.
- Ger.—German.
- Glouc.—Gloucestershire.
- Hants.—Hampshire.
- Ital.—Italian.
- L.F.—Lingua Franca, or Bastard Italian.
- Lat.—Latin.
- Linc.—Lincolnshire.
- Midx.—Middlesex.
- N.D.—No date.
- Norf.—Norfolk.
- Old, or Old English—In general use as a respectable word in or previous to the reign of Charles the Second.—See Ancient.
- Old Cant—In use as a cant word in or previous to the reign of Charles II.
- Oxon.—Oxfordshire.
- Prov.—Provincial.
- Pug.—Pugilistic.
- Sal., or Salop—Shropshire.
- Sax.—Saxon, or Anglo-Saxon.
- Scot.—Scotch.
- Sea—Used principally by Sailors.
- Shaks.—Shakspeare.
- Som.—Somerset.
- Span.—Spanish.
- Suf.—Suffolk.
- Theat.—Theatrical.
- Teut.—Teutonic.
- V.D.—Various dates.
- West.—Used in the Western Counties.
- Wilts.—Wiltshire.
- Worc.—Worcestershire.
- Yorks.—Yorkshire.
Footnotes
[1] “Swarms of vagabonds, whose eyes were so sharp as Lynx.”—Bullein’s Simples and Surgery, 1562.
[2] Mayhew has a curious idea upon the habitual restlessness of the nomadic tribes, i.e., “Whether it be that in the mere act of wandering, there is a greater determination of blood to the surface of the body, and consequently a less quantity sent to the brain.”—London Labour, vol. i., p. 2.
[3] Mr. Thos. Lawrence, who promised an Etymological, Cant, and Slang Dictionary. Where is the book?
[4] Richardson’s Dictionary.
[5] Description of England, prefixed to Holinshed’s Chronicle.