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A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue
Excerpt from A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue
Cheats, committed by Villains on the Nation; whereby they may be the more careful of being wronged by them for the future.
Cheats, committed by Villains on the Nation; whereby they may be the more careful of being wronged by them for the future.
- GenresWritingNonfiction
249 pages, Paperback
Published August 24, 2018
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About the author
Francis Grose
121Ìýbooks8ÌýfollowersFrancis Grose 1731 - 1791) was an English antiquary, draughtsman, and lexicographer. He produced A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue (1785) and A Provincial Glossary, with a Collection of Local Proverbs, and Popular Superstitions (1787).
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
July 29, 2022
Just a little nap
sometimes you need a stiff drink
pity .
sometimes you need a stiff drink
pity .
July 31, 2011
As this book is essentially a dictionary, it does not really make for good reading from cover to cover. However, as a historical reference book that gives an insight into what was considered to be slang and expletives in 1785 and exhibits how the English language has evolved it is excellent. This book is actually a facsimile of a first edition of Captain Francis Grose’s book that any pre-teen schoolboy would have given his right arm for: a dictionary of rude words!
January 25, 2014
Wonderful, and wonderfully vulgar (in both senses). A mother lode for those writing historical fiction in the English of the latter half of the 18th and early 19th centuries. A Rabelaisian hoot for pretty much everybody else. I found my copy remaindered, but Project Gutenberg makes it available at:
And I forgot to mention, the author's name is Francis Grose. Perfect!
And I forgot to mention, the author's name is Francis Grose. Perfect!
May 26, 2010
Very useful for a writer of historical fiction - EXCEPT that it really needs an index. Fun to browse but frustrating when you would like to find a word fast.
October 3, 2015
Eye opening journey into early 19th century English slang.
August 7, 2017
This dictionary is mediocre.
Lemprière's Classical Dictionary is so much better.
Lemprière's Classical Dictionary is so much better.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
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