Assorted Slang and Terminology - Volume 1 - Thieves Cant

Assorted Slang and Terminology - Volume 1 - Thieves Cant

Thieves Cant, sometimes referred to as the Cant, rogues' cant or TC for short, was/is a secret language formerly used by thieves, beggars and hustlers in Great Britain and other English-speaking countries.

It is a common trope of the fantasy genre – a series of coded words or phrases so the rogues and thieves can talk about various activities

There are two chapters provided here. One is English -> TC and the other is the reverse, TC -> English.

In the E - > TC translation, if there are multiple versions they are separated by a comma. These can be regional variations and so on.

Some sample translations:

English ---> TC
Betrayer - turncoat
Constable - harman, myrmidons
Cutpurse – nipper

TC ---> English
Academy – brothel
Beak - judge
Cackle - inform