1811 Slang

I found something neat on gutenberg.org while looking for a few older texts–a complete dictionary of vulgar underworld slang from 1811.

Since it’s a slow news day, I’m going to regale you with a few words:

FAT CULL. A rich fellow.

TO VOWEL. A gamester who does not immediately pay
his losings, is said to vowel the winner, by repeating the
vowels I. O. U. or perhaps from giving his note for the
money according to the Irish form, where the acknowledgment
of the debt is expressed by the letters I. O. U. which,
the sum and name of the debtor being added, is deemed a
sufficient security among gentlemen.

SHABBAROON. An ill-dressed shabby fellow; also a mean-
spirited person.

Now let’s use them in a sentence:

“The fat cull should have known better than to let the shabaroon vowel him; he never pays his debts.”

As usual, I live to inform.