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Derrick (Grose 1811 Dictionary)

Derrick

The name of the finisher of the law, or hangman about the year 1608.—’For he rides his circuit with the Devil, and Derrick must be his host, and Tiburne the inne at which he will lighte.’ Vide Bellman of London, in art. PRIGGIN LAW.—’At the gallows, where I leave them, as to the haven at which they must all cast anchor, if Derrick’s cables do but hold.’ Ibid.

Definition taken from The 1811 Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue, originally by Francis Grose.

Derby * Devil

Nearby

Nathan Bailey's 1736 Dictionary of canting and thieving slang

John S. Farmer's collection of canting songs and slang rhymes

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About

Francis Grose was independently wealthy, having inherited money from his father, a jeweller. Finding himself overspending, he published a number of books; his Provincial Glossary seems to have been the starting-point for the Vulgar Tongue reproduced here.

Dear Joys
Death Hunter
Death’s Head upon a Mop-stick
Deep-one
Deft Fellow
Degen
Dells
Demure
Demy-rep
Derby
Derrick
Devil
Devil-1
Devil’s Books
Devil Catcher
Devil’s Daughter
Devil’s Daughter’s Portion
Devil Drawer
Devil’s Dung
Devil’s Guts
Devilish