Preface: Dictionary of Slang and Cant Languages

ADVERTISEMENT

ONE great misfortune to which the Public are liable, is, that Thieves have a Language of their own; by which means they associate together in the streets, without fear of being over-heard or understood.

The principal end I had in view in publishing this DICTIONARY, was, to expose the Cant Terms of their Language, in order to the more easy detection of their crimes; and I flatter myself, by the perusal of this Work, the Public will become acquainted with their mysterious Phrases; and better able to frustrate their designs.

G. ANDREWES.

London 1809