Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue, 1811

Online is the Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue (Or A Dictionary of Buckish Slang, University Wit, And Pickpocket Eloquence). Published in 1811, it looks a great resource BUT be warned that there' s a history of this type of publication, from Robert Greene's 1592 pamphlets which claimed to reveal the life and cant of rogues in the lower orders - the so-called 'connie-catchers' (con merchants).

The Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue is of course supposed to be a humorous pastiche (Read the preface and consider that kind of thing is still being published today e.g. Chav! A User's Guide to Britain's New Ruling Class.)

However, much of the slang it contains is genuine. Cross-reference to be sure. And ignore any entries marked 'cant'. They've been lifted from previous work of this type, originally dating back to Robert Greene.

Here are some phrases in the dictionary which are genuine Regency slang and I rather like:

to kick up a dust - make a disturbance
to cut - renounce acquaintance
Dutch comfort - cold comfort
fobbed off - decieved with false pretences
Hackney writer - one who writes for attornies or booksellers
nettled - provoked, out of temper
nicknacks - baubles, or curiosities
kettle of fish - when a person has perplexed his affairs
footpads - foot robbers
in pickle - in a salivation
pig - a police officer
quack - a pretender to skill in physic
a quid - a guinea
ramshackled - out of repair
Welch rabbit - bread and cheese toasted
wild-goose chase - a tedious uncertain pursuit
Hobson's choice - that or none