A Dictionary of Slang, Cant, and Vulgar Words / Used at the Present Day in the Streets of London; the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge; the Houses of Parliament; the Dens of St. Giles; and the Palaces of St. James.

by John Camden Hotten

CAMISTER, a preacher, clergyman, or master.

CANARY, a sovereign. This is stated by a correspondent to be a Norwich term, that city being famous for its breed of those birds.

CANISTER, the head.—Pugilistic.

CANISTER-CAP, a hat.—Pugilistic.

CANNIKEN, a small can, similar to PANNIKIN.—Shakespere.

CANT, a blow or toss; “a cant over the kisser,” a blow on the mouth.—Kentish.

CANT OF TOGS, a gift of clothes.

CARDINAL, a lady’s cloak. This, I am assured, is the Seven Dials cant term for a lady’s garment, but curiously enough the same name is given to the most fashionable patterns of the article by Regent-street drapers. A cloak with this name was in fashion in the year 1760. It received its title from its similarity in shape to one of the vestments of a cardinal.

CARNEY, soft talk, nonsense, gammon.—Hibernicism.

CAROON, five shillings. French, COURONNE; Gipsey, COURNA,—PANSH COURNA, half-a-crown.