The first of four volumes comprising a complete history of the recording of English cant and slang - the jargon of sport, trade, and crime - which give unparalleled insights into the history of slang and the people who used it. Provides information on words and their meanings such as 'ziff' (a young thief), 'bundletail' (a short fat or squat lass), and 'arsworm' (a little diminutive fellow).

List of Illustrations Abbreviations and Conventions Introduction 1. The Beggars are Coming to Town 2. The Harman-Lists 3. The Head-Lists 4. The B. E.-Lists 5. The Life of Bampfylde-Moore Carew 6. Other Cant and Slang Lists 7. Cant in Other Dictionaries 8. Conclusions Appendix Bibliography Subject Index Word Index

Julie Coleman , University of Leicester