Category Archives: Language

Tip us your Daddle

Posted on August 14, 2017 by

Snippets 130. Francis Grose (1731-1791) was a noted antiquarian who wrote a series of books about medieval antiquities. Financial difficulties inspired him to branch out into other areas of writing, and in 1785 his A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar … Continue reading →

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Funiculì, Funiculà? “One-an-threppence”

Posted on July 31, 2017 by

Snippets 128. When the first funicular cable car on Mount Vesuvius opened in 1880, renowned Neapolitan journalist Peppino Turco came up with the idea of a commemorative song and made the suggestion to composer Luigi Denza that he could put … Continue reading →

Posted in 19th Century, 20th Century, Britain, England, History, Humor, Humour, Language, London, Snippets, Travel | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

You Carbuncle Faced Crusty Beau!

Posted on March 6, 2017 by

Snippets 107. Way back in Snippets 66 we looked at A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue, by Francis Grose, first published in 1785. Grose (1731-1791) was a noted antiquarian who wrote a series of books about medieval antiquities. Financial … Continue reading →

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Old Devonshire Dialect

Posted on July 11, 2016 by

Snippets 80. In the mid 18th Century Mary Palmer wrote Devonshire Dialect, a work of fiction that is highly significant from an historical perspective as it offers such a valuable insight into the language of the county at the time. … Continue reading →

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A Todd of Wool

Posted on June 23, 2016 by

Snippets 75. The following quote is taken from The New British Jewel, or Complete Housewife’s Best Companion, published in 1788. It is a collection of cookery and other practical advice. Life seems very simple now in comparison with the following … Continue reading →

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The First Slang Dictionary

Posted on June 9, 2016 by

Snippets 73.  If you try to find out what was the first ever English slang dictionary, the answer you will probably find (e.g. on Wikipedia) will be The Canting Academy, written in 1673 by Richard Head. He also wrote The … Continue reading →

Posted in 16th Century, Books, Britain, England, History, Language, Snippets | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Lookeedezee the Grizzledemundy?

Posted on May 19, 2016 by

Snippets 70. In the mid 18th Century Mary Palmer wrote Devonshire Dialect, a work of fiction that is highly significant from an historical perspective as it offers such a valuable insight into the language of the county at the time. … Continue reading →

Posted in 18th Century, 19th Century, Books, Britain, England, History, Language, Local History, Snippets | Tagged , , | 4 Comments