1811 Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue

The following are excerpts from a reprint of an 1811 Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue: A Dictionary  of Buckish Slang, University Wit, and Pickpocket Eloquence, which was in itself based on a dictionary by Francis Grose. {Bibliography}

I skimmed through the entire book, and picked out all the terms for sodomites, which I assume referred to gay men.  They may also refer to hetero sodomy, I don’t know enough to say.

Sadly, there were no terms for lesbians.  There are enough vulgar terms here for women’s lady-parts that we can create our own synonyms for “tribade”, if you wish.  But we’ll save that for another post.

Back Gammon Player

A sodomite.

Back Door

(USHER, or GENTLEMAN OF THE). The same.

Dildo

[From the Italian diletto, q.d. a woman’s delight; or from our word dally, q.d. a thing to play withal.] Penis-succedaneus, called in Lombardy Passo Tempo. Bailey.

Indorser

A sodomite. To indorse with a cudgel; to drub or beat a man over the back with a stick, to lay CANE upon Abel.

Madge Culls

Sodomites. Cant.

Molly

A Miss Molly; an effeminate fellow, a sodomite.

Windward Passage

One who uses or navigates the windward passage; a sodomite.