Page 4 - eMuse Vol.9 No.01_Classical

An on-going series of words and phrases no longer
in use or shifted in meaning.
Convict Speak
Around 1812, James Hardy Vaux was coerced into
writing his book “Flash Language” in return for a
sentence reduction and other privileges.
During our early convict era, “powers that be”
could not understand the jargon of the streets.
Vaux’s dictionary became a handy reference book
to bridge the language barrier that existed between
upper and lower levels of society and within the Portrait of James Hardy Vaux, c 1825. Artist unknown.
Sydney colonial legal system. His book “Flash Language” is regarded as the first dictionary
written in Australia. His memoirs, also from at about that
In part, some of these same words are among the time, enjoy similar status as the first autobiograophy written
foundation of Australian English of today. The fol- in Australia.
lowing definitions are direct quotes from Vaux with of value in the shops of jew- Planting him, or it; and any
his spelling and almost no additional comment. ellers, etc., while pretend- thing hid is called, the plant,
Where editorial observations occur, my comments ing to purchase or bespeak when alluded to in conver-
sation; such article is said
some trinket.
are in italics and followed by my initials, “WF”. to be in plant; the place of
This game is called the
Pensioner: a mean-spirited fel- Pick-up: to accost, or enter Pinch--I pinch’ d him for a concealment is sometimes
called the plant, as, I know
low who lives with a woman into conversation with any fawney, signifies I purloined
of the town, and suffers her to person, for the purpose of a ring from him; Did you of a fine plant; that is, a se-
maintain him in idleness in the executing some design upon pinch any thing ill that crib? cure hiding-place.
character of her fancy-man. his personal property; thus, did you succeed ill secreting To spring a plant, is to find
Peter: a parcel or bundle, among gamblers, it is called any thing in that shop? any thing that has been con-
whether large or small; but Picking up a flat, or a mouth: This game is a branch of cealed by another. To rise
sharpers, who are daily on
the plant, is to take up and
most properly it signifies a shoplifting; but when the
trunk or box. the look-out for some un- hoist is spoken of, it com- remove any thing that has
wary countryman or stran- been hid, whether by your-
Peter-hunting: traversing the ger, use the same phrase; monly applies to stealing self or another.
streets or roads for the pur- and among drop-coves, and articles of a larger, though
pose of cutting away trunks, others who act in concert, less valuable, kind, as pieces A person’s money, or valu-
etc., from travelling carriag- this task is allotted to one of muslin, or silk handker- ables, secreted about his
house, or person, is called
chiefs, printed cotton, etc.
es; persons who follow this of the gang, duly qualified,
game, are from thence called who is thence termed the See Hoist. his plant.
peter-hunters, whereas the picker-up; and he having Pinch-gloak: a man who works To plant upon a man, is to
drag more properly applies performed his part, his as- upon the pinch. set somebody to watch his
to robbing carts or wagons. sociates proceed systemati- Pipes: boots. motions; also to place any
cally in cleaning out the flat. thing purposely in his way,
Peter-hunting-Jemmy: a small Pit: the bosom pocket in a coat. that he may steal it and be
iron crow, particularly adapt- To pick up a cull, is a term
ed for breaking the patent used by blowens in their vo- Pit-man: a pocket-book worn in immediately detected.
the bosom-pocket.
chain, with which the lug- cation of street-walking. To Play a-cross: What is common-
gage is of late years secured pick a person up, in a gener- Pitcher: Newgate in London is ly termed playing booty,
to gentlemen’s carriages; and al sense, is to impose upon, called by various names, that is, purposely losing the
which, being of steel, case- or take advantage of him, in as the pitcher, the stone game, or match, in order to
hardened, is fallaciously sup- a contract or bargain. Pitcher, the start, and the take in the flats who have
posed to be proof against the Pigs, or Grunters: police runners. stone jug, according to the backed you, (see BRIDGE)
attempts of thieves. humour of the speaker. while the sharps divide the
Pins: the legs. spoil, in which you have a
Peter-that: synonymous with Plant: To hide, or conceal any
Stow-that. Pinch: to purloin small articles person or thing, is termed share. This sort of treach-

4 eMuse January 2020