PREFATORY NOTE.

e that undertakes to compile a dictionary, undertakes that which, if it comprehends the full extent of his design, he knows himself unable to perform. Yet his labours, though deficient, may be useful, and with the hope of this inferior praise, he must incite his activity, and solace his weariness.” So wrote the great lexicographer, Dr. Johnson, in the “Advertisement” to the fourth edition of his Dictionary of the English Language, published in 1773. In another place he had already told, in words which have since become classical, of the difficulties he had encountered, and of his own estimate of the shortcomings of his work as compared with the original design. It is in very much the same position that I find myself, now that I have completed the first instalment of my own task, smaller and less important though it be. I am fully conscious of manifold imperfections; yet I hope, and indeed believe, that I have, in my presentation of what is generically known as “slang,” advanced the enquiry in some measure. While cordially acknowledging the aid I have derived from the labours of my predecessors in the field, I cannot but recognise that, again and again, having adopted a new mode of treatment, I have found myself forced to “blaze” the way into what was practically a terra incognita.

The difficulties were manifold, and crowded upon one at every turn from the very outset. First and foremost came the question of deciding whether any given word, phrase, or turn of expression could with justice be relegated to the limbo of unorthodox speech—in short to decide, What is Slang? As a matter of fact, I have not yet discovered, nor have I been able to formulate any definition which covers the whole of the ground to be traversed. As Dr. Murray truly observes, “there is absolutely no defining line in any direction: the circle of the English language has a well-defined centre, but no discernible circumference.” Authorities differ between themselves, and often with themselves when asked to set down in plain scientific terms the marks which distinguish the vagrant words of slang from correct and orthodox English. Nor is the difficulty removed or lessened by an analysis of the genesis, or the application of this vast and motley crowd of heterodox words: of a verity the borderland between slang and the “Queen’s English” is an ill-defined territory, the limits of which have never been clearly mapped out. It is, therefore, not without hesitation, that I have ventured to explore this “Dark Continent” of the World of Words. If I cast a ray of light where before was darkness, or reduce to some sort of order where much was confusion—well and good: if, on the other hand, my steps at times chance to falter, others will, in such a case, be able to profit by my experience as I have by that of my predecessors.

Hence—bearing in mind the ill-defined character of much of the enquiry—my title, “Slang and its Analogues,” which I think fairly and accurately describes the scope and intent of the present work, though it may not satisfy those critics who, without examination, seek to decry or put aside that which it has cost years of labour and research to produce. For the rest, however, a conscientious worker may well be content to abide the result of careful and honest criticism, whether for praise or demerit.

Great as was the initial difficulty in regard to a dividing line between the three great divisions of colloquial English—dialectical, technical, and slang—it was clearly and obviously necessary to draw the line somewhere. After careful consideration, I adopted, as a standard between literary and non-literary English, Annandale’s edition of Ogilvie’s Imperial English Dictionary. With but few exceptions, it will be found that no word is here included which is there set down as forming part of the orthodox inheritance of “the noble English tongue.” The next great difficulty with which I found myself confronted was the determination of the exact meanings of slang words and expressions. Frequently I discovered I had to deal with a veritable Proteus—slang used to-day in one sense shades off to-morrow into many modifications. This fact I have had to keep steadily in mind. It will account, in some instances, for what may, at first sight, appear to be an unnecessarily extended list of illustrative quotations; in such cases it will generally be found, on examination, that different shades of meaning are exemplified.

As regards treatment, I have adopted, though not in its entirety, what is commonly known as the “historical method,” supplementing this by an attempt at the comparative study of slang, i.e., the presentation of unorthodox English in juxtaposition with the argots of other European nations, notably those of the French, German, Italian, and Spanish peoples. The historical usage of slang is amply illustrated by the quotations appended to each example. These comprise in their range the whole period of English literature from the earliest down to the present time, my plan having been to give the first ascertainable use of any given word or phrase, tracing it down century by century, winding up with an example “down to date.” These illustrative quotations, roughly speaking, number upwards of 100,000 for the whole work. I was fortunate enough shortly after commencing my final task of revision to have about 12,000 quotations placed at my disposal by Mr. G. L. Apperson, of Wimbledon, who for many years has had special knowledge of the requirements of such work, having sub-edited certain sections of the New English Dictionary. I am glad to be able to make special mention of my indebtedness in this respect; as also to Mr. G. A. King, of Croydon, an old Wykehamist, for invaluable aid in connection with public school words and phrases.

Copious materials for a comparative study of English and foreign slang will be found in the often-times lengthy lists of analogous and synonymous terms appended to the more important and more commonly used examples in the body of the work. This branch of my study I shall deal with more fully in an article to follow the completion of the vocabulary proper, and I purpose to enhance the usefulness of that portion of the dictionary by a complete alphabetical list of all the foreign slang words and phrases herein used, with full references to page and column.

For the rest, my method will, I think, need little elucidation. I have endeavoured to make each example, with its explanation, derivation, synonyms, and illustrative quotations, as far as possible, complete in itself. Over and above this, however, the cross-references will be found of considerable value for the purpose of comparison, and will, I hope, be acceptable. I may also add that, wherever possible, I have given a reference indicating where synonymous or analogous words may be found. The arrangement of these synonyms has been a matter of considerable thought; first, as to the most fitting place for inclusion; and second, so to distribute them throughout the dictionary as to present a piece of work evenly balanced, and ready of reference.

There are certain sources of information of which I must make special acknowledgment. Among books, first and foremost, comes that invaluable store-house, Notes and Queries. I have freely drawn for information upon this inestimable periodical from its very first issue, invariably making a note of my indebtedness, and to whom, in the text. The New English Dictionary has also been of service in supplying, at times, earlier examples of the use of a slang word or phrase than those of which I was already possessed. It is not, however, without a certain amount of perhaps pardonable satisfaction that I, working single-handed, am often able to give much earlier illustrations of the slang side and usage of our mother tongue, than occurs elsewhere.

As regards French Argot, Francisque Michel, Lorédan Larchey, and A. Barrère, respectively, are the chief authorities to whom I wish to render due acknowledgment; Avé-Lallemant and Kahle have also been specially useful in connection with the German Gaunersprache. The dates of quotations have, wherever possible, been finally verified by comparison with the comprehensive and useful appendix to Dr. Brewer’s Reader’s Handbook.

It may not be out of place to give some indication of the complete scheme (subject to slight modification) of Slang and its Analogues. The work will comprise:—

I. A dictionary of ancient and modern English slang, treated historically, including copious lists of English, French, German, and Italian synonyms, etc.

II. A chapter on the comparative study of the subject; this embraces English cant and slang, French Argot, German Gaunersprache, Italian Fourbesque, Spanish Germania, and Portuguese Calão.

III. A new and exhaustive Bibliography, with copious entries of foreign books treating of the subject.

IV. A list of authorities and references to periodical literature, with full titles and dates as mentioned throughout the dictionary.

V. A complete vocabulary of all foreign slang words and expressions occurring throughout the body of the work, with detailed references to example, page, and column. This will form in itself a comprehensive dictionary of foreign slang.

Note.—A table of abbreviations used in this Volume will be found on page 406.