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Cant -- Early works to 1800

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• Cant
• Early works to 1800

• Swearing -- Early works to 1800

• The belman of London Bringing to light the most notorious villanies that are now practised in the kingdome. Profitable for gentlemen, lawyers, merchants, citizens, farmers, masters of housholdes, and all sorts of seruants to mark, and delightfull for all men to reade. (Printed at London : [By E. Allde] for Nathaniell Butter, 1608), by Thomas Dekker (HTML at EEBO TCP)
• Lanthorne and candle-light. Or, The bell-mans second nights-walke In which he brings to light, a brood of more strange villanies than ener [sic] were till this yeare discouered. (London : Printed [by Edward Allde] for Iohn Busby, and are to be solde at his shop in Fleete-streete, in Saint Dunstanes Church-yard, 1609), by Thomas Dekker (HTML at EEBO TCP)
• Lanthorne and candle-light (Printed at London : [By Thomas Snodham] for Iohn Busbie, and are to be sould at his shop in S. Dunstans Church-yard in Fleete-street, 1612), by Thomas Dekker (HTML at EEBO TCP)

• A Christen exhortacion vnto customable swearers What a ryght [and] lawfull othe is: whan, and before whom, it owght to be. Item. The maner of sayinge grace, or geuynge thankes vnto God. ([Antwerp : Printed by the widow of C. Ruremond, 1543?]), by Miles Coverdale and John Bale (HTML at EEBO TCP)
• Proclamations. 1644-04-08. (Printed at Oxford : by Leonard Lichfield, printer to the University, 1644), by England and Wales. Sovereign (1625-1649 : Charles I) and King Charles I of England (HTML at EEBO TCP)
• By the King. A proclamation for the further restraint of prophane swearing and cursing, and the better observing of prayer and preaching in His Majesties armies, and the City of Oxford, and in all other parts of the kingdome. (Printed at Oxford [i.e. London] : by Leonard Lichfield, printer to the University, 1644), by England and Wales. Sovereign (1625-1649 : Charles I) and King Charles I of England (HTML at EEBO TCP)
• A position and testimony against all swearing under the gospel In which may be seen, I. That Christ hath forbidden all sorts of oaths. II. What Christ hath substituted instead of an oath. III. Reasons for that prohibition and substitution. With an answer to all the material objections that are, or may be, alledged from the scriptures. (London : [s.n.], Printed in the year, 1692), by John Fisher (HTML at EEBO TCP)
• One antidote more, against that provoking sin of swearing, by reason of which this land now mourneth given forth from under the burden of the oppressed seed of God, by way of reply both to Henry Den's epistle about the lawfulness, antiquity, and universality of an oath, and his answers to the Quakers objections against it, recommended (by him) to all the prisons in this city and nation to such as chuse restraint, rather then the violation of their consciences : and also to Jeremiah Ives his printed plea for swearing, entitituled, The great case of conscience opened, &c. about the lawfulness or unlawfulness of swearing, which said reply to these two opposers of the truth, as it is in Jesus, is recommended not onely to all the prisons in this city and nation, and to all such real Christians, as chuse restraint rather then the violation of their consciences, but also, to all such nominal Christians out of prison, as, rather then restrain, chuse to purchase their earthly liberties by swearing, to the violation of the command of Christ, who saith, Mat. 5.33, swaer not at all. Jam. 5.12, above all things my brethren swear not / by Samuel Fisher ... (London : Printed for Robert Wilson ..., [1660?]), by Samuel Fisher (HTML at EEBO TCP)
• Gods judgements upon drunkards, swearers, and sabbath-breakers. In a collection of the most remarkable examples of Gods revealed wrath upon these sins with their aggravations, as well from scripture, as reason. And a caution to authority, lest the impunity of these evils bring a scourge upon the whole nation. By W. L. ([London] : Printed for William London, 1659), by Samuel Hammond (HTML at EEBO TCP)
• The co[n]uercyon of swerers ([Enprynted at London : In flete strete at the sygne of the sonne by Wynkyn de Worde. prynter vnto ye moost excellent pryncesse my lady the kynges grau[n]dame, The yere of our lorde a. M.CCCCC. and .ix.] [1509]), by Stephen Hawes (HTML at EEBO TCP)
• A cure for the tongue-evill, or, A receipt against vain oaths being a plain and profitable poem, shewing the hainousness of common swearing, with reasons against it, and remedies for it / by T.I., an hearty well-wisher to his king, church, and country. (London : Printed for Christopher Ecclestone ..., 1662), by Thomas Jordan (HTML at EEBO TCP)
• A statute against drunkennesse, viz. 4. Jacobus 5. The penaltie of a drunkard, &c. ([London : s.n., 1644]) (HTML at EEBO TCP)
• A sermon concerning svvearing preached before the King's Maiesty in Christ-Church Oxon, May the 12, 1644 / by W. Strode ... (Oxford : Printed by Leonard Lichfield ..., 1644), by William Strode (HTML at EEBO TCP)
• Christian admonitions against the tvvo fearefull sinnes of cursing and swearing most fit to be set vp in euery house, that the grieuousnesse of those sinnes may be both remembred, and auoyded, whereby the hatred of them may possesse the heart of euery Christian / [by] Iohn Taylor. (Printed at London : By Eliz. Allde for Henry Gosson, and are to be sold at his shop vpon London Bridge, [ca. 1630]), by John Taylor (HTML at EEBO TCP)
• A hopefull way to cure that horrid sinne of swearing, or, An help to save swearers if willing to be saved being an offer or message from him whom they so daringly and audaciously provoke : also a curb against cursing. (London : Printed by E. Cotes, 1652), by Richard Younge (HTML at EEBO TCP)
• A sovereign antidote, or, A precious mithridate for recovery of souls twice dead in sin, and buried in the grave of long custome, to the life of grace. With hopeful means (God blessing the same) to prevent that three-fold (and worse than Ægyptian) plague of the heart; drunkenness, swearing, and profaneness. Wherein is a sweet composition of severity and mercy: of indignation against sin, of compassion and commiseration to the sinner; with such Christian moderation, as may argue zeal without malice; and a desire to win souls, no will to gall them. By R. Younge of Roxwell in Essex. (London : printed by J. Hayes, and are to be sold by Mrs. Crips in Popes-Head Alley, with 39 other pieces composed by the same author, 1664), by Richard Younge (HTML at EEBO TCP)
• Two letters written to a gentleman of note guilty of common swearing. By B.J. (London : printed for Benj. Tooke, 1691), by B. J. (HTML at EEBO TCP)
• An inuectyue agenst the moost wicked [and] detestable vyce of swearing, newly co[m]piled by Theodore Basille ([London : By J. Mayler and J. Gough, 1543]), by Thomas Becon (HTML at EEBO TCP)
• The Christen rule or state of all the worlde from the hyghest to the lowest and how euery man shulde lyue to please God in hys callynge. Item, the Christian state of matrimony: and how ma[n] and wife shuld kepe house together with loue. Item, the maner oe [sic] saynge grace after the holy scrypture. ([London? : T. Raynalde and William Hill, 1548?]), by William Tyndale, Heinrich Bullinger, Miles Coverdale, and John Bale (HTML at EEBO TCP)
• Caveat for sinners. (London : printed for J. Deacon, at the sign of the Rainbow, a little above St. Andrews church in Holborn, 1683), by R. B. (HTML at EEBO TCP)
• Convercyon of swerers. ([Imprynted at London : In Fletestrete at the sygne of saynt Iohan eua[n]gelyste, by me [J. Skot for] Iohan Butler, [1531?]]), by Stephen Hawes (HTML at EEBO TCP)
• A letter to a gentleman of note, guilty of common swearing recommended now to all such of that rank as are under the same guilt, and fit to be perused by all Their Majesties good subjects that would please both God and the king, in helping to suppress this crying sin / by B.J. (London : Printed for Randall Taylor ..., 1690), by Benjamin Jenks (HTML at EEBO TCP)
• Treatise of the good and evell tounge. (Imprinted at London : [By J. Wolfe] for Iohn Perin dwelling in Paules Church yard at the signe of the Angell and are there to be sold, [ca. 1592]), by Jean de Marconville and fl. 1592 T. S. (HTML at EEBO TCP)
• A full account from Ireland, of the maid at Dublin miraculously struck by the hand of heaven, and burning by a supernatural fire; in which deplorable condition she still continues: with her penitent behaviour and discourses since the recovery of her speech. And other remarkable passages relating to this stupendous judgement. As communicated in a letter received by the last post, Jan. 14. from Mr. Mount her master, living in Christ-Church-Yard in Dublin. As also several historical instances in the like kind; published for a warning for all to avoid such prophane execrations. With allowance. ([London] : Printed for P. Brooksby, and sold by R. Kell, at the Blew-Anchor, in Pye-corner, [1700?]), by Mr Mount (HTML at EEBO TCP)
• About swearing. ([London : printed for James Crump in Little Bartholmews Well Yard, where any may have them gratis, during his life. Also at the same place, such as would may know or have the severall pieces published by this authour; which are in number thirty. Thought I rather commend to my reader that excellent piece of practicall divinity, called Heaven and hell epitomized, and The true Chrisitan characterized. By Mr Swinnock M.A., 1659]), by Richard Younge (HTML at EEBO TCP)
• Discourse setting forth the great sinfulness and danger of rash and vain swearing (London : printed for Thomas Parkhurst at the Bible and Three Crowns, the lower end of Cheapside, near Mercers-Chapel, 1695), by John Rost (HTML at EEBO TCP)
• A Discourse concerning prophane swearing and cursing ... (Dublin : Printed by Jo: Ray ... for Mathew Gunne ..., 1697) (HTML at EEBO TCP)
• A testimony against drunkenness and swearing, &c. With a postscript unto all such as have any tenderness of heart or conscience, either male or female, or any fear of God in you, and are grieved at the abominations that you daily hear and see amongst your families and neighbours, in what country or nation soever. Being a copy of a paper written and given forth (at Polch-Ground within the Haven of Long-Sound) in Norway (the 20th of the fifth moneth, 1674.) in the king of Denmark's dominion. / By William Bayly. ([S.l. : s.n.], printed in the year 1675), by William Bayly (HTML at EEBO TCP)
• Foure treatises tending to disswade all Christians from foure no lesse hainous then common sinnes; namely, the abuses of swearing, drunkennesse, whoredome, and briberie. Wherein the greatnes and odiousnesse of these vices is discouered; and the meanes and remedies, which may either preserue, or weane men from them, are propounded. Whereunto is annexed a treatise of anger. By Iohn Dovvname Batcheler in Diuinitie, and preacher of Gods word. (At London : Imprinted by Felix Kyngston, for William Welby, and are to be sold at his shop in Pauls Church-yard at the signe of the Greyhound, 1609), by John Downame (HTML at EEBO TCP)
• By the King. A proclamation for the inhibiting all manner of oathes, other abuses and prophanations by any of His Majesties army; as likewise strictly commanding the due and constant frequenting of the service of God, by all the officers and souldiers of the same. (Printed at Oxford : by Leonard Lichfield, printer to the University, 1643), by England and Wales. Sovereign (1625-1649 : Charles I) and King Charles I of England (HTML at EEBO TCP)
• A small treatise concerning swearing in the old time of the law, with its use and an end put to it in the Gospel by Jesus Christ, who forbiddeth all swearing, and sets up yea and nay instead thereof. By G. Fox. (London : [s.n.], printed in the year 1675), by George Fox (HTML at EEBO TCP)

• A testimony against gaming, musick, dancing, singing, swearing and peoples calling upon God to damn them. As also against drinking to excess, whoring, lying, and cheating. Commended to the consciences of all people in the sight of God, but more especially to those, who keep publick houses. ([London] : Printed by T. Sowle, at the Crooked Billet in Holloway-Lane, Shoreditch; and are to be sold near the Meeting-House in White-Hart-Court in Crace-Church-street, 1696), by John Kelsall (HTML at EEBO TCP)

• A hopefull way to cure, that horrid sinne of swearing: or an helpe to save swearers, if willing to be saved being an offer or message from him whom they so daringly and audaciously provoke. Also a curb against cursing. ([London : s.n., 1645]), by Richard Younge (HTML at EEBO TCP)
• The second humble cry of this kingdome to their desired nursing father the king with Parliament for their preventing helpe against the power of sword and famine with the meanes thereof propounded in this city and all places yet unplundered, and if the noyse of the multitude of businesse doe kepe them from hearing us, we entreat our elder brethren in London and Westminster dayly to present this our supplycation to their eyes and eares. ([London : s.n., 1645?]), by Thomas Nutt (HTML at EEBO TCP)
• A just plea against swearing, and against the national worship of England briefly demonstrating the grounds and reasons why we choose rather to suffer, then to bow to either of them. By a sufferer for his testimony against them, known by the name of Ja. Picton. (London : [s.n.], printed in the year, 1663), by James Picton (HTML at EEBO TCP)
• Midd' ss. Ad general' quarteral' session' pacis dom' regis & dom' reginæ, tent' pro com' præd' apud Hick's-Hall in St. John's-street, in com' præd' per adjornament' die veneris, scilicet decimo die Julii, ... (London : Printed by Tho. Braddyll, 1691), by England and Wales. Court of Quarter Sessions of the Peace (Middlesex) (HTML at EEBO TCP)

• By the King. A proclamation for the suppressing of profane swearing and cursing. ([Imprinted at London : By Robert Barker, printer to the Kings most excellent Maiestie: and by the assignes of Iohn Bill, 1635]), by England and Wales. Sovereign (1625-1649 : Charles I) and King Charles I of England (HTML at EEBO TCP)

• Orders in Council. 1654-06-30. ([London? : s.n., 1654]), by England and Wales. Lord Protector (1653-1658 : O. Cromwell) and England and Wales. Council of State (HTML at EEBO TCP)

• Ordinance empowering the commissioners of the customs, and others, for the better suppressing of drunkenness and prophane cursing and swearing, in persons employed under them. ([publisher not identified], 1654), by England and Wales. Lord Protector (1653-1658 : O. Cromwell), Henry Scobell, England and Wales. Council of State, and England and Wales. Commissioners of Customs (page images at HathiTrust)

• A proclamation against prophaneness ([Edinburgh, : Printed by the heirs and successors of Andrew Anderson ..., 1698]), by England and Wales. Sovereign (1694-1702 : William III) and King of England William III (HTML at EEBO TCP)

• Anno regni septimo Gulielmi Tertii (Dublin : Printed by Andrew Crook, printer to the Kings Most Excellent Majesty, on Ormonde-Key, 1695., 1695), by Ireland, Andrew Crook, and David B. Quinn (page images at HathiTrust)
• Anno regni septimo Gulielmi Tertii. (Dublin : printed by Andrew Crook, printer to the Kings Most Excellent Majesty, on Ormonde-Key, 1695), by Ireland (HTML at EEBO TCP)

• A warning for swearers by the example of God's judgments shewed upon a man born near the town of Wolver-hampton, in Stafford-shire, who had stolen a Bible; and being examined before a justice, deny'd the fact, and falsly forswore it; wishing he might rot, if he were guilty of the theft; which (according to his desire) immediately fell upon him; and is at this time, a sad spectacle to hundreds that have beheld him: also, a relation of God's judgments shewed upon a woman, who lived in Worcester-shire; who falsly forswore her self, and [illegible] in a short time after, being immediately stuck dumb. J.C. Tune, Aim not too high. (London : printed for W. Thackeray, T. Passenger, and W. VVhitwood, [1677]), by J. C. (HTML at EEBO TCP)

• Downe-fall of oathes. (London : Printed by T. S[nodham] for Ralph Mab, and are to be solde in Paules Church-yard, at the signe of the Angell, 1613), by Abraham Gibson (HTML at EEBO TCP)

Items below (if any) are from related and broader terms.

• Sinks of London Laid Open: A Pocket Companion for the Uninitiated, To Which is Added a Modern Flash Dictionary Containing all the Cant Words, Slang Terms, and Flash Phrases Now in Vogue, With a List of the Sixty Orders of Prime Coves (London: J. Duncombe, 1848), illust. by George Cruikshank
  • illustrated HTML at victorianlondon.org
  • multiple formats at archive.org
  • page images at HathiTrust
• Das deutsche gaunerthum in seiner social-politischen. (F. A. Brockhaus, 1858), by Friedrich Christian Benedict Avé-Lallemant (page images at HathiTrust)
• Poverty, mendicity and crime : or, The facts, examinations, &c, upon which the report was founded (Shaw and sons, 1839), by William Augustus Miles and H. Brandon (page images at HathiTrust)
• The discoveries of John Poulter, alias Baxter : who was apprehended for robbing Dr. Hancock ... Written wholly by himself ... (Printed for R. Goadby, 1769), by John Poulter (page images at HathiTrust)
• Le jargon du xve siècle, étude philologique; onze ballades en jargon attribuées à François Villon, dont cinq ballades inédites, publiées pour la première fois d'après le manuscrit de la Bibliothèque royale de Stockholm, précédées d'un discours préliminaire sur l'organisation des gueux et l'origine du jargon, et suivies d'un vocabulaire analytique du jargon (G. Charpentier & cie, 1884), by Auguste Charles Joseph Vitu and François Villon (page images at HathiTrust)
• Musa pedestris. Three centuries of canting songs and slang rhymes (1536-1896) (Priv. print. for subscribers only, 1896), by John Stephen Farmer (page images at HathiTrust)
• Wörterbuch der wichtigsten Geheim- und Berufssprachen : Jüdisch-Deutsch, Rotwelsch, Kundensprache, Soldaten-, Seemanns-, Weidmanns-, Bergmanns- und Komödiantensprache (T. Grieben, 1916), by Erich Bischoff (page images at HathiTrust)
• Das Rotwelsch des deutschen Gauners. (F. W. Grunow, 1905), by L. Günther (page images at HathiTrust)
• Conventional cant, its results and remedy (K. Paul, Trench & co., 1887), by Sidney Whitman (page images at HathiTrust)
• Le jargon du XVe siècle, étude philologique : onze ballades en jargon attribuées à François Villon, dont cinq ballades inédites, publiées pour la première fois d'après le manuscrit de la Bibliothèque royale de Stockholm, précédées d'un discours préliminaire sur l'organisation des gueux et l'origine du jargon, et suivies d'un vocabulaire analytique du jargon (G. Charpentier & cie, 1883), by Auguste Charles Joseph Vitu and François Villon (page images at HathiTrust)
• Chochemer loschen. Wörterbuch der Gauner- und Diebs- vulgo jenischen Sprache, nach Criminalacten und der vorzüglichsten Hülfsquellen (In Commission bei Friedrich Pustet, 1832), by J.K. von Train (page images at HathiTrust)
• Memoirs of James Hardy Vaux. (Printed by W. Clowes, 1819), by James Hardy Vaux and Barron Field (page images at HathiTrust)
• Das wesen und treiben der gauner, diebe und betrüger Deutschlands, nebst angabe von maassregeln, sich gegen raub, diegbstahl und betrug zu schützen, und einem wörterbuche der diebessprache. (C.F. Schmidt, 1846), by Chr Rochlitz (page images at HathiTrust)
• Aktenmässige Geschichte der Räuberbanden an den beiden Ufern des Mains, im Spessart und im Oldenwalde ... Nebst einer Sammlung und Verdollmetschung mehrerer Wörter aus der Jenischen oder Gauner-Sprache. [With] Nachtrag. (G. Braun, 1812), by Ludwig Pfister (page images at HathiTrust)
• Die Kocheme Waldiwerei in der reussischen Märtine; oder, Die Gauner und Gaunerarten im reussischen Voigtlande und der Umgegend, ihre Taktik, ihre Aufenthaltsorte und ihre Sprache. (J.K.G. Wagner, 1822), by W. Fd Bischoff (page images at HathiTrust)
• Le génie de l'argot : essai sur les langues spéciaux, les argots et les parlers magiques (Mercure de France, 1912), by Alfredo Niceforo (page images at HathiTrust)
• Three countries of canting songs and slang rhymes (Priv. print. for subscribers only, 1896), by John Stephen Farmer (page images at HathiTrust)
• Eagle legal definitions based on the laws relating to crime; also underworld terms and their meanings (The Eagle library, 1937), by Harold St. L. O'Dougherty (page images at HathiTrust)
• A New canting dictionary: comprehending all the terms, ancient and modern, used in the several tribes of gypsies, beggars, shoplifters, highwaymen, foot-pads, and all other clans of cheats and villains. Interspersed with proverbs, phrases, figurative speeches, &c. Being a complete collection of all that has been publish'd of that kind. With very large additions of words never before made publick ... With a preface, giving an account of the original, progress, &c. of the canting crew; and recommending methods for diminishing these varlets, by better employment of the poor. To which is added a complete collection of songs in the canting dialect. (London, 1725) (page images at HathiTrust)
• Étude sur l'emploi de l'argot des malfaiteurs chez les auteurs romantiques (Appelbergs boktryckeri a.-b., 1917), by Nils Evert Taube (page images at HathiTrust)
• Das rotwelsch des deutschen gauners (trüben, 1905), by Georg Ludolf Louis Günther (page images at HathiTrust)
• English Gypsies and their language (Hurd and Houghton, 1873), by Charles Godfrey Leland (page images at HathiTrust)
• Gaunerstreiche, oder Listige ränke der betrieger unserer zeit. Eine beantwortung der frage: "Wovon leben so viele unbemittelte, und doch nicht arbeitende menschen, besonders in grossen städten?" Um redliche vor schaden zu warnen. (J.A. Kienreich, 1820), by Franz Rittler (page images at HathiTrust)
• Das gaunerglossar der Freistädter handschrift. (s.n., 1899), by Hans Gross (page images at HathiTrust)
• Dieventaal. ([Amsterdam, 1913), by H. W. J. Kroes (page images at HathiTrust)
• Die jenische Sprache ... (F.C.W. Vogel, 1915), by Engelbert Wittich and Georg Ludolf Louis Günther (page images at HathiTrust)
• Studii sulle lingue furbesche (Forni, 1969), by Bernardino Biondelli (page images at HathiTrust)
• Verbrechen und verbrecher; mitteilungen zum schutze des publikums ... (F. Fontane & Co., 1892), by A. Oscar Klaussmann and C. Weien (page images at HathiTrust)
• The surprising adventures of Bampfylde Moore Carew, king of the beggars, containing his life--a dictionary of the cant language and many entertaining particulars of that extraordinary man. (Printed for W. Salter and sold by Crosby's & Co., London, and the booksellers in Exeter [etc.], 1812), by Robert Goadby and Hamblin & Seyfang (page images at HathiTrust)
• The English gipsies and their language (Trübner, 1873), by Charles Godfrey Leland (page images at HathiTrust)
• Die jenische Sprache (in German), by Engelbert Wittich, ed. by Georg Ludolf Louis Günther (Gutenberg ebook)
• Sinks of London Laid Open: A Pocket Companion for the Uninitiated, to Which is Added a Modern Flash Dictionary Containing all the Cant Words, Slang Terms, and Flash Phrases Now in Vogue, with a List of the Sixty Orders of Prime Coves, illust. by George Cruikshank (Gutenberg ebook)

More items available under broader and related terms at left.