Our next installment of 19th century slanguage from that veritable bible of colorful cant, the 1811 Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue. Have fun!
Gallows bird: A thief, or pickpocket; also one that associates with them. My brother’s new friends that he met at the prize-fight last week are quite the collection of gallows-birds.
Ralph Spooner: A fool. Papa told him not to be such a Ralph Spooner and stop going about with them, but when has my brother ever listened?
Dished up: To be totally ruined. I fear that if he persists in seeking their company, he’ll be dished up in no time.
All the kick: in fashion. Apricot-colored neck ruffs may be all the kick right now, but they make me look alarmingly liverish.
Cannister: The head. I haven’t the faintest idea how Lord Creepey got it into his cannister that I’ll dance with him at Almack’s tonight.
Sherry off: to run away. In fact, I’ll cheerfully sherry off first.
Thornback: An old maid. Indeed, I’d much prefer to be a thornback to encouraging his suit.
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