It's been ages since I wrote one of these posts. High time to remedy that, I think! So, here are a few Regency words and expressions that may puzzle you if you come across them in an old book. Enjoy!
Beau-nasty: finely dressed but dirty
Canterbury Story: a long roundabout tale
Cloud: tobacco
Gallipot: a nickname for an apothecary
Hog Grubber: a mean stingy fellow
Horse-godmother: large, muscular woman
Jason's Fleece: a citizen cheated of his gold
King’s Bad Bargain: a malingeror, or soldier who shirks his duty
Leaky: someone who can't keep a secret
Lully Triggers: thieves who steal wet linen
Mouse: to speak like a mouse in a cheese; i.e. faintly or indistinctly
Poisoned: big with child
Red rag: the tongue
Slubberdegullion: dirty, nasty fellow
Strip Me Naked: gin
Wiper Drawer: a pickpocket, one who steals handkerchiefs.
How many did you know?
Further reading:
1811 Dictionary in the Vulgar Tongue by Francis Grose
Regency Slang
Regency Slang (Part 2)
Regency Slang (Part 3)