Page 4 - eMuse Vol.9 No.03_Classical

turning nose . To split signi- is said to be spoony drunk;
fies generally to tell of any and, from hence it is usual
thing you hear, or see trans- to call a very prating shallow
acted . fellow, a rank spoon.
Spoil it: to throw some obstacle Spout: to pledge any property
in the way of any project or at a pawnbroker’s is termed
undertaking, so as to cause spouting it, or shoving it up
its failure, is termed spoiling the spout .
it. In like manner, to prevent
another person from suc- Spread: butter.
An on-going series of words and phrases no longer ceeding in his object, either Spring the plant: See “Plant”.
in use or shifted in meaning. by a wilful obstruction, or Square: all fair, upright, and
Convict Speak by some act of imprudence honest practices, are called
on your part, subjects you
Around 1812, James Hardy Vaux was coerced into to the charge of having the square, in opposition
to the cross . Any thing you
writing his book “Flash Language” in return for a spoiled him . have bought, or acquired
sentence reduction and other privileges. Speaking of some particular honestly, is termed a square
During our early convict era, “powers that be” species of fraud or robbery, article,. and any transaction
which after a long series
which is fairly and equitably
could not understand the jargon of the streets. of success, is now become conducted, is said to be a
Vaux’s book became a handy reference book to stale or impracticable from square concern.
bridge the language barrier that existed between the public being guarded A tradesman or other per-
upper and lower levels of society and within the against it, the family will say, son who is considered by
that game is spoiled at last .
Sydney colonial legal system. So having attempted the the world to be an hon-
In part, some of these same words are among the robbery of any particular est man, and who is unac-
quainted with family peo-
foundation of Australian English of today. The fol- house or shop, and by mis- ple, and their system of
lowing definitions are direct quotes from Vaux with carrying caused such an operations, is by the lat-
his spelling and almost no additional comment. alarm as to render a sec- ter emphatically styled a
ond attempt dangerous or
square cove, whereas an
Where editorial observations occur, my comments impolitic, they will say, that old thief who has acquired
are in italics and followed by my initials, “WF”. place is spoil’d, it is useless an independence, and now
Speak: committing any rob- Spin a yarn. See “Yarn”. to try it on any more . confines himself to square
bery; is called making a Spoke to: alluding to any per- practices, is still called by
speak; and if it has been Yarn: yarning or spinning a yarn son or place that has been his old palls a flash cove,
productive, you are said to is a favourite amusement already robbed, they say, who has tyed up prigging.
among flash-people; signi-
have made a rum speak . that place, or person, has See “Gross” and “Flat”.
fying to relate their various
Speak to: to speak to a per- adventures, exploits, and been spoke to before. In making a bargain or con-
son or place is to rob them, escapes to each other . A family man on discovering tract, any overture consid-
and to speak to any article, that he has been robbed, ered to be really fair and
is to steal it; as, I spoke to This is most common and will exclaim, I have been reasonable, is declared to be
the cove for his montra; I gratifying, among persons spoke to, and perhaps will a square thing, or to be upon
robb’d the gentleman of his in confinement or exile, add, for such a thing, nam- the square. To be upon the
watch. I spoke to that crib to enliven a dull hour, and ing what he has lost. square with any person, is to
probably excite a secret
for all the wedge; I robb’d have mutually settled all ac-
that house of all the plate. hope of one day enjoying Spoke to upon the screw, counts between you both up
I spoke to a chest of slop; I a repetition of their former crack, sneak, hoist, buz, etc. to that moment . To threaten
stole a chest of tea. A thief pleasures. See “Boned”. etc ., means robbed upon ei- another that you will be upon
will say to his pall who has A person expert at telling ther of those particular suits the square with him, some
been attempting any rob- these stories, is said to spin or games . time, signifies that you’ll be
bery, “Well, did you speak? a fine yarn. A man using a Upon any great misfortune even with him for some sup-
or, have you spoke?” mean- great deal of rhetoric, and befalling a man, as being ap- posed injury, etc .
ing, did you get any thing? exerting all his art to talk prehended on a very serious Square-Cove:. See “Square”.
Spell: the play-house . another person out of any charge, receiving a wound Square-Crib: a respectable
thing he is intent upon, the supposed to be mortal, etc .,
Spice: the spice is the game of latter will answer, Aye, Aye, his friends will say, Poor fel- house, of good repute,
footpad robbery; describ- you can spin a good yarn, low, I believe he’s spoke to, whose inmates, their mode
ing an exploit of this nature; but it won’t do; meaning, meaning it is all over with him. of life and connexions, are
a rogue will say, I spiced a all your eloquence will not all perfectly on the square.
swell of so much, naming have the desired effect. Spoony: foolish, half-witted, See “Cross Crib”.
the booty obtained . A spice nonsensical; a man who Squeeze: the neck .
is a footpad robbery. Split: to split upon a person, has been drinking till he
or turn split, is synonymous becomes disgusting by his Stag: to turn stag was formerly
Spice Gloak: a footpad robber. with nosing, snitching, or very ridiculous behaviour, synonymous with turning

4 eMuse March 2020