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Shifting Ballast (Grose 1811 Dictionary)

Shifting Ballast

A term used by sailors, to signify soldiers, passengers, or any landsmen on board.

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

Shifting * Shillaley

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.

Sheepskin Fiddler
Shelf
Sheriff’s Journeyman
Sheriff’s Ball
Sheriff’s Bracelets
Sheriff’s Hotel
Sheriff’s Picture Frame
To Sherk
To Sherry
Shifting
Shifting Ballast
Shillaley
Shilly-shally
Shindy
Shine
Ship Shape
Sh-t Sack
Sh-t-ng Through the Teeth
Shod All Round
Shoemaker’s Stocks
To Shoole