Slang and its analogues past and present, volume 2 [of 7] : $b A dictionary, historical and comparative, of the heterodox speech of all classes of society for more than three hundred years. With synonyms in English, French, German, Italian, etc.

Delving into three centuries of street‑talk, this dictionary uncovers the lively, often hidden language that has shaped everyday conversation across Britain and beyond. Starting with entries from “ab” to “fizzle,” it traces each term’s origins, social context, and the subtle ways it migrated between classes, from schoolboys’ cheat sheets to the bustling slang of markets and taverns. The work also highlights how many of these words echo in French, German, Italian and other tongues, offering a vivid comparative snapshot of Europe’s vernacular web.

Beyond simple definitions, the volume provides colorful anecdotes and historical citations that reveal why a “cabbage” once meant a tailor’s scraps or a secretive brothel. Readers can follow each entry through illustrated quotations, observing the ebb and flow of meaning as societies evolve. Whether you’re a language enthusiast, a historian, or simply curious about the roots of the words we still whisper today, the book opens a doorway to the vibrant, ever‑changing world of slang.