[1] The preface of BAUMANN’s Slang and Cant Vocabulary (_Londonismen_)
gives us a good, chronologically arranged catalogue—often with
specimens—of the principal representatives of this literature.
[2] Such words are: _cad_ (formerly = a person performing menial
offices, esp. omnibus conductor; now = an offensive or ill-bred person,
irrespective of social position); _pal_; _row_; _chum_, _rum_ (formerly =
splendid, magnificent, as in _Rom Vile_: the splendid city, London; now =
odd, queer); _cheek_, etc.
[3] I refer, for instance, to the catalogue of »flash», »cant», and
»slang» dictionaries—from the beginning of the 15th century down to the
present time—given as an introduction to FARMER-HENLEY’s dictionary of
slang and colloquial English.
In France, there is the same confusion of _argot_ (= slang) and _langue
vulgaire_ or _triviale_.
[4] The Gipsy vocabulary seems to have influenced the secret thieves’
slang, and, accordingly, vulgar language, in other countries besides
England. Thus, there are in modern Stockholm-cant words such as: _lattjo_
(pleasant), _tjej_ (sweetheart; Gipsy: _chel_?), _pirka_ (cap), etc.,
originating, it is said, from the Gipsy language.
[5] In the preface of his Slang and Cant Dict., H. Baumann gives us an
excellent essay on _Cant_, its history and its sources, which I beg to
recommend to anybody who is interested in the subject. The above lines on
the sources and development of Cant are principally based on this essay.
[6] Cf. I say, mother, our Deb’s bin and _smoshed_ young W.—Done what to
un?—_Smoshed_ him.—Why, _I never touched him_.—Yes, thee have, thee’ve
smoshed un—that be _the new Lunnun word_; made un in love wi’ thee.
(Woodb. Farm 17. 35)
[7] Cf. the synonymous _huffy_, _grumpy_. Humped > humpy; dotted > dotty,
etc. are vulgar formations.