A History of Cant and Slang Dictionaries: Volume I: 1567-1784

A History of Cant and Slang Dictionaries examines the origins and development of non-standard language documentation in Britain from the mid-16th to late 18th centuries. This scholarly work traces how early lexicographers approached the recording of criminal slang, street language, and informal speech. Coleman analyzes source materials including pamphlets, plays, and early attempts at criminal biographical dictionaries to reveal the methods used to compile these word collections. The text explores the social and cultural context behind these works, including attitudes toward criminality, poverty, and linguistic variation in early modern Britain. The book provides detailed analysis of major early slang dictionaries and their compilers, examining their stated purposes, intended audiences, and lasting influence on later works. References and examples from the original texts demonstrate how meanings and usage were recorded and interpreted. This volume demonstrates how the documentation of non-standard speech both reflected and shaped understanding of social class, morality, and linguistic authority during this formative period in English lexicography. The work contributes to ongoing scholarly discussions about the relationship between language, power, and social identity.

Scholarly readers commend Coleman's thorough research and clear organization of early English slang development. Multiple reviewers highlight the extensive source material and historical context provided for each dictionary entry. Likes: - Detailed etymological tracing of criminal cant and street language - Inclusion of social/cultural factors behind slang evolution - Comprehensive bibliography and references - Readability despite academic subject matter Dislikes: - Price point ($150+ for hardcover) - Dense academic writing style can be dry - Some readers wanted more analysis of how terms evolved into modern usage Ratings: Goodreads: 4.25/5 (8 ratings) Amazon: No ratings available WorldCat: No ratings available Limited review data exists online for this academic text. Most discussion appears in scholarly journals rather than consumer review sites. Several academic reviewers note the book serves better as a reference text than casual reading material.

A Dictionary of the Underworld by Eric Partridge A comprehensive examination of British and American criminal slang from 1530 to 1950 traces the origins and evolution of canting language through historical documents and street literature.

Language and the Lexicon by David Crystal This exploration of word origins and dictionary-making practices reveals the connections between social history and the development of English vocabulary.

The Life of Slang by Julie Coleman The text traces the progression of informal language from criminal cant to mainstream usage through primary sources and linguistic research.

Bad Language by Peter Trudgill and Lars-Gunnar Andersson The work examines the social, historical, and linguistic aspects of taboo words and swearing across different cultures and time periods.

Vulgar Tongues: An Alternative History of English Slang by Max Décharné The book chronicles the development of English slang from thieves' cant through jazz, punk, and modern street talk using historical documents and cultural artifacts.

📚 The book explores how early slang dictionaries were often created to help law enforcement and the upper classes understand the secret language of criminals and the underworld. 🎓 Julie Coleman is a Professor of English Language at the University of Leicester and has written extensively on historical linguistics and lexicography. 💂‍♂️ The earliest known English canting dictionary appeared in Thomas Harman's "A Caveat for Common Cursitors" (1567), which documented the secret language of vagabonds and beggars. 🔍 Many early slang dictionaries were compiled by people who infiltrated London's criminal underworld, sometimes at great personal risk, to document their vocabulary. 📖 The book reveals how 18th-century slang dictionaries began including more general colloquial terms alongside criminal cant, marking a shift toward documenting everyday informal language.