The canting academy, or, The devils cabinet opened wherein is shewn the mysterious and villanous practices of that wicked crew, commonly known by the names of hectors, trapanners, gilts, &c. : to which is added a compleat canting-dictionary, both of old words, and such as are now most in use : with several new catches and songs, compos'd by the choisest wits of the age ...

About this Item

Title
The canting academy, or, The devils cabinet opened wherein is shewn the mysterious and villanous practices of that wicked crew, commonly known by the names of hectors, trapanners, gilts, &c. : to which is added a compleat canting-dictionary, both of old words, and such as are now most in use : with several new catches and songs, compos'd by the choisest wits of the age ...
Author
Head, Richard, 1637?-1686?
Publication
London :: Printed by F. Leach for Mat. Drew ...,
1673.
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Subject terms
English language -- Slang -- Dictionaries -- Early works to 1800.
Wit and humor.
Songs, English -- Texts.
Cite this Item
"The canting academy, or, The devils cabinet opened wherein is shewn the mysterious and villanous practices of that wicked crew, commonly known by the names of hectors, trapanners, gilts, &c. : to which is added a compleat canting-dictionary, both of old words, and such as are now most in use : with several new catches and songs, compos'd by the choisest wits of the age ..." In the digital collection Early English Books Online. https://name.umdl.umich.edu/A43142.0001.001. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed May 17, 2024.

Pages

Page 34

AN ALPHABETICAL Canting Vocabulary. Canting before the English.

A A A.
AUtemA Church
Autem MortA Married Woman
AbramNaked
Abram CoveA Poor Fellow
B B B.
BlufferAn Host
Bounsing-cheatA Bottle
BugharA Dog
BoozDrink
Boozing-kenA Tippling-house
BordA Shilling
BungA Purse
BeenGood or well
BeenshiplyVery well
BenatBetter
BingTo go

Page 35

Bing awastTo go away
BubeThe Pox.
As for Example,
The Mort hath tipt the Bube to the Cully.The wench hath clapt the Fellow.
Bleating-cheatA Sheep
Belly-cheatAn Apron
BettyAn Instrument to open a door.
BiteTo cheat or cozen
As bite the Cully, that is, pu the Cheat on such a Fellow. Or the Cove was bit, The Man was cheated.
Bite the RogerSteal the Portmanteau
BudgeOne that steals Cloaks or ought else, slipping in∣to an house in the dark
BrushTo fly.
As the Cully is brush'd or rub'd, that is, He is march'd off, or broke.
BeenshipWorship
Bulk and FileThe one jostles you up whilst the other picks your pocket.
Been darkmansGood night.
BlowerOne mans particular Wench.
BatnerAn Oxe
Blow off on the Ground∣sils.O. Q. P. on the Floar or Stairs
Blot the Skrip and jark it.To be engaged or bound for any body.

Page 36

C C C.
CokerA lye
Cove, or CuffinA Man
Cuffin-QuireA Justice of Peace
CrampringsBolts or Shackles
ChatsThe Gallows
CankDumb
CrackmansHedges
Calle or TogemanA Cloak
CouchTo lie
Couch a hogsheadTo go to sleep
Mish or CommissionA Shirt
Cackling cheatA Chicken
CassanCheese
Crashing cheatsTeeth
CloyTo Steal
CutTo Speak
Cut been whidsTo Speak well
Cut quire whidsTo Speak evilly
ConfeckCounterseit
CanakinThe Plague
Cly the jerkTo be whipt
ClapperdogeonA Beggar born
CullyA Fool or Fop
ColquarronA Mans Neck
CroppinkenA Privy or Boghouse
CrackerAn Arse
ChaftBeaten or bang'd

Page 37

ClinckerA Crafty Fellow
Chap'dDry, or Thirsty
Cackling FartsEggs
Cobble-colterA Turky
D D D.
DimberPretty
DamberRascal
DrawersStockings
DudsGoods
DeuseavileThe Country
DommerarA Mad man
DarkmansNight or Evening
Dell or DoxyA Wench
DeuswinsTwo pence
DupTo enter or go into an house,
As Dup the Ken, Enter the House, Dup the Booz∣ing-Ken, and booz a gage; go into the Ale-house and drink a pot.
DancersStairs
Deuseavile-StampersCountry Carriers
E E E.
EarnestA part or share,
As for example, Tip me my Earnest, Give me my Share or Divident.
F F F.
FlickerA Glass.

Page 38

Flicker-snaptA Glass broken
FlickTo Cut
As Flick me some Pannam and Cash; Cut me some Bread and Cheese
Flick the PeeterCut the Cloak-bag
Fam-grasp the CoveTo agree with an Adver∣sary.
FrummagenChoak'd
FilchA Staff with an hole in the end thereof, in which upon occasion, your Rogues will fasten an hook, to pull things cunning∣ly from an Hedge, or through a Casement.
FermeAn hole
FamblesHands
Famble-cheatsRings or Gloves
FlagA Groat
FlogTo whip as in Bridewell,
As the Prancer drew the Quire Cove at the Crop∣ping of the Rotan through the Rum pads of the Rum vile, and was flog'd by the Nubbing-Cove. That is, The Rogue was drag'd at 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Carts-arse, through the chief streets of London, and was soundly whipt by the Hangman.
FogusTobacco
As tip me a gage of Fogus, Give me a pipe of To∣bacco.
Fencing CullyA Receiver of stoln Goods
FibTo beat,
As Fib the Coves quarrons in the rum ad for the lour in his burg. Beat the Man on the high-way for the money in his purse.
Flog'd at the TumblerWhipt at the Carts arse.
FenceTo spend
As Fence your Flag, Spend your Groat,
Floggin Cove,The whipper of Bridewell, or any other that whips people commonly called at Dublin in Ireland Bellores.

Page 39

G G G.
GropersBlind men
GlimflashyAngry
GlimfendersAndirons
Grunting peckPorke
GlymmerFire
Glazyers.Eyes
GrannamCorn
Gentry MertA Gentlewoman
GageA pot or pipe
Grunting chatA Sucking pig
GiggerA Door
GybeAny writing or Pass
GlazyerOne that creeps in at case∣ments, or unrips glass windows to filch and steal.
GiltA Picklock,
Where note that some of them are so excellent at it, that they are furnished with all sorts of Gilts or Keys, fon a Church door to the smallest Cabinet, and al∣most at first sight will dexterously open any door, tunk, chest, or any lock whatever.
Glym JackA Link boy
Glym StickA Candlestick
GrindersTeeth
GiggThe Nose
As give him a rum snitch, or ••••••ichel the Gigg, that is, Fillip him on the Nose.
H H H.
HarmanbeckA Constable
HarmansThe Stocks
HeaveTo Rob,
As Heave a Booth, To rob an house

Page 40

Half bordSixpence
Husky lourA Guinny
HogA Shilling,
As for Example;
You Darkman-budge, will you fence your hog with me, at the next Boozing Ken. That is, d'ye hear you House-creeper, will you spend your shilling with me, at the next Alehouse.
HoodwinktBeneghted or belated
HeaverA Breast
I I I.
JagueA ditch
JarkA Seal
Jokum gageA Chamber pot
JobA Guinny
K K K.
KenAn house
KinchinA little child
Kinchin CoveA little man
KidnapperA fellow that walketh the streets, and takes all advantages to pick up the younger sort of people, whom with lies and many fair promises he inticeth on board a ship and tran∣sports them into forreign plantations.
L L L.
LourMoney
LightmansDay, or Day-break
LibbenA private dwelling house
LageWater

Page 41

LibbedgeA bed
LapPottage
LurriesAll manner of cloaths
Lifter, or PlyerA Crutch.
M M M.
Mow heaterA Drover
MowerA Cow
Mish topperA Coate
MaundTo beg
MaundersBeggars
Margry PraterAn Hen
MillTo Steal
MakeAn half peny
MyntGold
Muffling cheatA Napkin
MumpersGentile Beggars, Such as will not accept of Victuals, but money or cloaths, and these beg under the pretence of being decay'd Gentlemen, Tradesmen, or such who have been burn'd out or shipwrack'd
MilkenAn house breaker
MunsThe Face,
As tout his Muns,Mark his face well
Moon CuserA Link boy
MarinatedTransported into some sor∣reign Plantation.
N N N.
NabgirderA Bridle
Nubbing KenThe Sessions house
Neck stamperA Pot-boy
Napper of NapsA Sheep-stealer

Page 42

NabAn Head
Nab-cheatAn Hat
NapTo take, or cheat with the Dice, that is, by certainly securing one chance.
NaskinA Goal, or Bridewell
NazieDrunken
Nazie CoveA Drunkard
NizieA Fool or Coxcomb
NubThe Neck
NubbingHanging
Nubbing CoveThe Hangman
Nubbing cheatThe Gallows
O O O.
OglesEyes
Old Mr GoryA piece of Gold
P P P.
PanterAn heart
Prig-starA Rival in love
PalliardOne whose Father is a born Beggar
PapplarMilk pottage
PratsThighs
PriggTo Ride
PriggingRiding
Priggers of PrancersHorse-stealers
PriggsAre all sort of Thieves
Peck or PeckidgAny sort of meat
PannamBread
PlantTo lay, place, or hide
PrancerAn horse
Prating cheatA Tongue

Page 43

PeakAny lace
PikeTo run
As Pie on the been,Run for it as fast as you can.
PeeryFearful
PeeterA portmantle
PadThe high-way
Plant your whids, and stow them,Be careful what you say or speak
Prig-napper.A Horse-stealer
PeeperA Looking glass,
As track the Dancers and pikes with the Peep∣er, Go up the stairs and trip off with the Looking-glass.
PeepingDrowsie, or Sleepy
Q Q Q.
QuarronA Body
Quacking cheatA Duck
QueerBase or roguish
Queer KenA Prison
Queer MertA pockie Baggage
Queer CoveA Rogue
R R R,
Rum gutlersCanary wine,
As Rum hopper, tip us presently a Bounsing cheat of Rum gutlers; Drawer fill us presently a bottle of the best Canary.
Rum dropperA Vintner
Rarling CoveA Coatchman
Rum glimmarKing of the Link boys
RumboyleA Ward or Watch
RumGallant
Rum VileLondon.

Page 44

RuffinThe Devil,
As the Ruffin nap the Cuffin-quier, and let the Harmanbeck trine with his Kinchins about his Colquarron; That is, Let the Devil take the Justice, and let the Constable hang with his chil∣dren about his neck.
Rum boozing WeltsA bunch of Grapes
RogerA Cloak-bag
RidgcullyA Goldsmith
RufflerA notorious Rogue
Ruff peckBacon
RedshankA Mallard
Rum padThe highway
Rum PaddersThe better sort of High∣way men.
Rum CullyA rich Coxcomb
Ratling MumpersSuch who onely beg at Coaches.
Romboyl'dSought after with a War∣rant
Rum hopperA Drawer
S S S.
SqueekerA Bar-boy
Smacking CoveCoachman
ScoutA Watch
SwagA Shop
SmudgeOne that lies underneath a bed, to watch an opportunity to rob the house.
ShopliftOne that filcheth Commo∣dities out of a Shop, under the pretence of cheapning or buying them of the Shop-keeper.
StampersShooes
StampsLeggs

Page 45

Stock-drawersStockings
ScoureTo wear
SkewA Dish
SlateA Sheet
SkipperA Barnel
Shoulder shamPartner to a File
Stam fleshTo Cant;
As the Cully Stams flesh rumly; He Cants very well
Stow your whidsBe wary
Stalling KenA Brokers shop, or an house that will recive stoln goods.
Smelling cheatA Garden or Nosegay
SalomonThe Mass
Stow your Whids and plant 'em, for the Cove of the Ken can cant 'em,Have a care what you say, the Man of the House understands you.
SmiterAn Arm
Stall whimperA Bastard
SkripPaper,
As the Cully did freely blot the Skrip, and so tipt me forty Hogs; that is, One enter'd into bond with me for forty shillings.
TTT.
Touting KenA Tavern Bar
TrundlersPease
TourTo look out
Track up the DancersGo up the Stairs
The Cul SnilchesThe man eyes you
Tip the cole to Adam TilerGive your pick-pocket mo∣ney presently to your running Comrade.

Page 46

Tip the MishGive the Shirt
Tib of the butteryA Goose
TipTo give
TrineTo hang: or Tyburn
Tick-rumA Licence
Tres winsThree pence
Toppin CoveThe Hangman
TumblerA Cart
Topping cheatThe Gallows
WWW.
WinA penny
Wicher-cullyA Silver-smith
WhitNewgate;
As five Rum padders are rub'd in the darkmans out of the Whit, and are pik'd into the Deusea∣vile: Five Highway men in the night broke New∣gate, and are gone into the Country.
WitcherSilver
Witcher bubberA Silver Bowl;
As for example, The Cull is pik'd with the Witch∣er bubber; The Rogue is March'd off with the Sil∣ver Bowl.
Witcher-tilterA Silver-hilted sword
WicketA Casement;
As tout through the Wicket, and see where a Cul∣ly pikes with his Gentry Mort, whose Muns are the rummest I ever touted before: Look through the Casement, and see where the man walks with a Gentlewoman, whose face is the fairest I have ever seen.

Page 47

AN ALPHABETICAL Canting Dictionary. English before the Canting.

AAA.
A Curious wenchRum Mort
An ApronBelly cheat
An Instrument to break a doorBetty
A part or shareEarnest
An holeFerm
A GroatFlag
A Receiver of stoln goodsFencing Cully
A fine GentlewomanGentry-Mort
A DoorGigger
Any writing or PassGybe
A Guiny, or JobHuskie lour
A Little childKinchin
A Little manKinchin Cove
A private dwelling houseLibben
All manner of cloathsLurries
All sorts of ThievesPriggs

Page 48

Any sort of meatPeck or Peckidge
Any LacePeak
A notorious RogueRuffler
An ArmSmiter
An ArseCracker
AndironsGlimfenders
Agree with a manFamgrasp the Cove
AngryGlim flashy
B B B.
Bar-boySqueeker
Beadle of BridewellFloging Cove
BetterBenar
BridewellNaskin
Beggar bornClapperdogeon
Boghouse or PrivyCroppinken
BedLibbedge
BottleBounsing ckeat
BegMaund
BeggarsMaunders
BreadPannam
Be careful of what you sayStow your whids and plant 'em
BridleNabgirder
Bolts or ShacklesCramprings
BodyQuarron
Base or RoguishQueer
BaconRuff peck
BastardStall-whimper
BrokerFencing Cully
BelatedHoodwinks
Blind menGropers
BarnSkippers
Bar of an Alehouse or Tavern.Touting Ken

Page 49

Be waryStow your whids
Brokers shopStallen-ken
BeatenChaft
BreastHeaver
C C C.
CartTumbler
Coach-beggarsRatling Mumpers
Cloak-bagRoger or Peeter
CheatNapper
CoachRatler
Chamber potJockum-gage.
CoachmanSmacking-Cove
ConstableHarmanbeck
Candle stickGlym-stick
Cut the Cloak-bagFlick the Peeter
CornGrannam
Clusters of GrapesRum-boozing Welts
CarriersDeuseavile Stampers
Choak'dFrummagem'd
CrutchLifter or Plyer
CopulateWap or Jockum cloy
CountryDeuseavile
CounterfeitConfeck
Crafty fellowClincher
CrustCrakler
CheeseCash or Cassan
ChickenCackling-cheat
CloakCalle or Togeman
Cheat or cuzenBite
ChurchAutem
CoatMish-topper
CowMower.

Page 50

D D D.
Drawers of WineRum hoppers
DogBughar
DrinkBooze
DrousiePeeping
DumbCank
DitchJague
Day, or Day-breakLightmans
DrunkenNazy
Dry or thirstyChapt
DrunkardNazy-Cove
DuckQuacking-cheat
DevilRuffin
DishSkew
DroverMow-heater
E E E.
Enter or go into an houseDup
EyesOgles or Glaziers
Ends of Gold and SilverSpangles
EggsCackling-farts
F F F.
Fellows that pick up people for transporta∣tion commonly called SpiritsKidnappers
FaceMuns
Fool or CoxcombNizie
FearfulPeery
Fly or runBresh

Page 51

Fop, or one that may ea∣sily be wrought uponCully
FireGlymmer.
FeetStampers.
G G G.
GoldMynt
Gentile BeggarsMumpers
GoalNaskin
GallowsTrine
GallantRun
GoldsmithRidgcully
Garden or NosegaySmelling cheat
Goes up the StairsTrack up the Dancers
GiveTip
GlassFlicker
GallowsTopping cheat
Glass brokenFlicker snapt.
H H H.
High-wayTopping Cove
High-way-menRum pad
HorseRum padders
Horse-stealerPrancer
HeadNab
HatNab cheat
Half-pennyMake
HouseKen
HandsFambles
HoseDrawers
HostessS pouch
HeartPanter
HostBluffer.

Page 52

III.
IngageBlot the Skrip.
KKK.
King of the Link-boysRum glimmer
KnaveryQueer topping
LLL.
Link-boyMoon-curser, or Glym-Jack
Looking-glassPeeper
LondonRumvile
LgsStampers
LicenceJukrum
Look through the Case∣mentTout through the Wicker
LipsGans
LyeCoker
MMM.
MassSalomon
MallardRed-shank
Milk-pottagePapplar
MoneyLour
Married WomanAutem-Mort
Mad-menDommerars
ManCove.

Page 53

NNN.
NoseGigg
NeckNuh
NewgateWhit
Night or EveningDarkman
NakedAbram
OOO.
One that slips into an house in the dark and steals what he can lay hands onBudge
One that creeps in at Casements and lets in others to rob the houseGlazier
One that filcheth com∣modities out of a shop under the pretence of Cheapning or Buy∣ingShoplift
One that lieth under∣neath a bed, or in some other covert place to watch an opportunity to rob the houseSnudge
One whose father is born a BeggerPalliard
O Q P on the stairsBlow off on the Ground∣sll

Page 54

PPP.
PottageIap
PorkGrunting peck
PeaseTrundlers
Partners to FilesShoulder-shams
Peice of old GoldOld Mr. Gory
PortmantuePeeter
PrisonQueer Ken
PennyWin
PicklockGilt
Pot or PipeGage
PrettyDimber
PlagueCannakin
PoxBube
PurseBung
Poor FellowAbram Cove
QQQ.
QuestionStarter
RRR.
RascalDamber
Rings or GlovesFamble cheats
Rich CoxcombRum Cully
RidePrig
RidingPrigging
RidersPriggers
RogueQueer Cove.

Page 55

S S S.
ShillingBord or Hog
SheepBleating cheats
Steal the PortmantueBite the Roger
ShirtMish
SpeakCut
StockingsDrawers
Sucking PigGrunting cheat
StocksHarmans
SixpenceHalf a Hog
SilverWitcher
Silver bowlWitcher-bubber
Silver-smithWitcher-cully
StrawStrummel
SheetsSlates
StockingsStock drawers
ShoesStamps
ShopSwag
Sought after with a war∣rantRomboyld
Sheep-stealerNapper of Naps
StealMill or Cloy
SealJark
TTT.
TeethCrushing cheats
To lyeCouch
To go to sleepCouch a Hog shead
To speak wellCut ben whids
To speak illCut queer whids
To be whiptCly the Jerk
Two penbeDeuswins

Page 56

Three penceTreswins
TobaccoFogus
To take TobaccoRaise a cloud
To beatFib
To spend or lay outFence
TeethGrinders
To rob an houseHeave a Booth
To tumble togetherLib
TransportedMarinate
To lay place or hidePlant
TonguePrating cheat
To rune awayPikes
To wearScour
To look outTour
To hangTrine
The Sessions-houseNubbing Ken
TurkyCobble-colter.

Our Canting Alphabet will not extend a Letter farther then T, as far as I can find out; not know∣ing any Canting word beginning with Ʋ, X, Y, Z, although I have made a strict inquiry from some of the most notorious Professors hereof: I have con∣sulted likewise what is printed on this subject, and have slighted no help I could gather from thence, which indeed is very little; the greatest assistance I had in this discovery, was from Newgate; which with much difficulty I screw'd out of the sullen Rogues, who would not speak a word till I had suppled their tongues with the oil of Barley, or ra∣ther thaw'd their obstinate silence with the heat of strong Liquors.

From these I understood, that the Mode of Canting alter'd very often, and that they were for∣ced to change frequently those material words which chiefly discovered their mysterious practices and

Page 57

Villanies, least growing too common their own words should betray them.

Here in this Vocabulary or little Canting Dicti∣onary, You have all or most of the old words which are still in use, and a many new never pub∣blished in print, and but very lately minted, such too which have passed the approbation of the Criti∣cal Canter. If I seem deficient in the quantity of words, let some else supply my defects, having collected words sufficiently enough for one, if you will have more, take the pains which I have done to be supplyed, and in the mean time be content with what is gathered to your hands.

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