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Dr. Vernon Coleman has published a new book. Titled ‘Vernon Coleman’s Dictionary of Old English Words and Phrases: An essential vocabulary of traditional English for language lovers’ it is a unique collection of Victorian and rarely used words with explanations, anecdotes and bits of history.
Here’s what he has to say about it.
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I started collecting Victorian and rarely used words when I began writing my series of 15 books describing the life of a young doctor in the village of Bilbury in Devon. I have no idea why I did this since the books were (and are) set in the 1970s, but it seemed a fun way to spice up the language. As a result, I now have a large library containing around 100 old dictionaries, books of quotations, thesauruses and books of slang and curious old English words. And, of course, printed matter, which is largely reliable, can always be supplemented with the internet, which is an endless and inspirational source of contradictions and confusions. Wherever possible I’ve tried to include a few etymological and historical references though I do have to admit that many etymological references probably owe as much to the imaginations of their originators as anything else.
This book is full of forgotten, out-of-use words, words which haven’t (officially) been used since the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries, words which have been lost, abandoned, changed or suppressed and words which have changed their use since they were first introduced (the definitions I have given here are the original definitions). This is a book to take with you if you have an appointment where you know you will have to wait for longer than is decent or if you need to make a journey of indeterminate length. It is a book to dip in and out of; it is a book to entertain and to educate.
I hope this is a book which will, painlessly, help you expand your word power. These are words which are an essential part of the English language; a vital part of our culture and a part of our history which is endangered. Most of these words do not appear in standard, modern dictionaries and those that do are usually defined in other ways; as a result, this book is intended as an essential supplement to a good, standard dictionary. Rogues, bawds, innkeepers, pimps, brothel keepers, whores, pickpockets and shoplifters had a surprisingly large vocabulary.
I have also included one or two of the most popular street cries and details of some of the often cruel and invariably rather complicated practical jokes which were a major part of daily life in the centuries up until the year 1900.
I hope that no reader will be offended by the inclusion of the slang in this book. I am not the first editor to be aware of the hazard such inclusions must inevitably pose. In 1793, When James Caulfield published his dictionary entitled ‘Blackguardiana: or, a dictionary of rogues, bawds, pimps, whores, pickpockets, shoplifters’ he ended his Preface with these words: “The Editor likewise begs leave to add, that if he has the misfortune to run foul of the dignity of any body of men, profession, or trade, it is totally contrary to his intention; and he hopes the interpretations given to any particular terms that may seem to bear hard upon them, will not be considered as his sentiments, but as the sentiments of the persons by whom such terms were first invented, or those by whom they are used.” Caulfield, whose book was priced at “one guinea in boards,” said that he had collected words from numerous sources including ‘The Bellman of London’, first published in 1608, and other dictionaries of the 17th and 18th centuries.
Not that this book is just about etymology. It’s also about social and cultural history. Read about the words and phrases on these pages and you will discover that within all sectors of society, there was a healthy disrespect for authority. People often took the law into their own hands if someone in their community broke the rules. This was as true for, say, soldiers or seamen as for gang members. They didn’t run off to complain to a senior officer or make an anonymous complaint on social media, but they merely operated their own form of rough justice.
My aim, and hope, (and I’ve been working on this book for many years so I’m entitled to a little hope) is that at least some of these words and phrases (most of which first saw the light of day in the 19th century or before) will be revived and will return to our currently rather dull communal lexicon, overladen as it is with abbreviations and modern, technical jargon which is too often pompous and incomprehensible while also being far less colourful. These words and phrases will, I hope, add fun to your language though I should, I suppose, warn you once again that the book might not be a perfect cup of tea for the easily offended and wearily politically correct.
`Vernon Coleman’s Dictionary of Old English Words and Phrases’ is the sort of publication which has an added value as a source of entertainment, amusement and information; of the sort which I refer to as the “I say, Hilda, listen to this” or “You won’t believe this, Gerald” variety. (Naturally, you can interchange the names if you don’t know anyone called Hilda or Gerald).
I spent 30 years of my life working as a columnist in what then was still referred to as Fleet Street (simply because that was where the major national newspapers all had their offices) and I received many letters from readers telling me how much they enjoyed reading out bits and pieces from my columns either to their (possibly long-suffering relatives) or to chums in the pub (who were, I suppose, more likely to say “enough”). And I also discovered that radio presenters used to read out pieces they found amusing and that many other newspaper columnists used to copy out bits which they thought their readers would enjoy. This was particularly likely to happen when I worked as the agony uncle on a tabloid Sunday newspaper.
It occurs to me that it would be a delight if readers found themselves sharing titbits from this book with friends and relatives. We all need all the smiles we can find.
Everyone should read at least one of Vernon Coleman’s books. If you hate political correctness, Big Brother government or the medical establishment, then read at least two.
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Coleman… a hero to many since the dark scamdemic descended upon us, but I suspect my writing is going to be much richer in expressions and naunce in the future, thanks to Vernon. And, I suppose, the scamdemic.
This looks intriguing and entertaining!
I also enjoy understanding the root of a word but not as a discipline. The ancient written languages were symbols and shapes such as Sanskrit, Egyptian hieroglyphics, and Native American petroglyph. I believe Hebrew is the earliest language where each letter is a symbol that has both a numerical and literal meaning. British TV is interesting as I note their word for flashlight is a torch, the trunk of a car is called a boot, etc.
English words are made up of letters whereas Korean words are lines and circles. Which one is classified as archaic/ primitive or advanced/superior?
So Mr. Coleman is alive? Still doesn’t want go all the way the rabbit hole, and doing so still helping perpetuating the medical lies?
It requires the utmost strength to face one’s whole life and recognize: it’s all been a pack of lies… 🙁
Not very well written – I couldn’t make out whether you are for or against Dr. V. If you are for him then I apologise, if you are railing against him do remember that he is going to have the Last Laugh, although he doesn’t seem the type to think like that.
Thanks for the kind evaluation :))
It is clear that you are also caught in the medical lies, as Coleman.
Here is my evaluation of you: you must be 10 years old if you think one must be ‘for’ or ‘against’ someone…
And how on earth you think Coleman will have the last laugh? That’s pathetic.
By the way, where is Coleman’s website(s) gone? Why did he shut down everything?
Maybe the truth is too much to handle.
Check out the Baileys on Odyssey if you want to get closer to the truth.
Oh I forgot: you are just a child 🙁
HI Brit, Did Dr. Coleman shut down “everything”? Or did someone else shut down one of his websites?
He has repeatedly stated he has been heavily censored and victimised. He has however manged to save his original website …. so far.
One can be censored on youtube, even on odysee bitchute etc.
But everywhere at the same time, and his own website, which is much much harder to shut down, especially for that long, without ANY explanation – it points only to one thing, it is with intention.
If you know the fate of the late austrian biologist Arvay Clemens…. makes you wonder, if someone smart enough comes close to realize the truth, the truth meaning one’s whole life was IN A LIE…. can make one desperate and bitter.
Hi Brit, Dr. Coleman wasn’t censored “everywhere at the same time.” It has been bit by bit, one at a time, for years. The same that has happened to many of us. But obviously the higher profile you are, the harder they gun for you.
Well, no, not according to my experience!
His website (vernoncoleman.org) was up, he was on brandnewtube, both of them disappeared at the same time somewhere last year.
His old site (at least looks dated in comparison to the other one http://www.vernoncoleman.com) is still active, seem to have some new (february 2024) entries, however, it still points to the brandnewtube which is defunct.
I’ve also seen no explanation about this, but maybe I simply missed it.
Maybe he just doesn’t want to bother with them anymore.
Which I could understand… but oh tell me Mr. Coleman, if all vaccines are dangerous, which, if I remember correctly, you stated, and even written a book or two about it – well then how is this come together with your germ theory and the immune system? According to the thesis, it should be marvelously effective in most cases, right? Or…?
No, I cannot. It is like with Jordan Peterson: a man who has the means and choses to look the other way is worse than the sheep, who have no choice.
You do.
Something to remember about old curmudgeons: They may not always be right but they’re never wrong.
While no longer a full fledged member of the Cult of the White Coats, he has not been fully deprogrammed as evidenced by his continued belief that exosomes are the cause of all illnesses not otherwise explainable, rather than artifacts not yet understood that are present during illness. He is all in on the failed hypothesis of germ theory. But give him a break. He was educated and trained and practiced the falsehoods preached to him for 50 years.
It takes on average 17 years for established false medical beliefs to corrected once exposed. If he ever does come around and recognize he’s been fooled, you can be sure he’ll write a book about it.
He’s actually quite a character and his books of fiction a fun read. So dont be too hard on him. He’s just an old man in a chair after all.
Thank you Bart, I would agree with you wholeheartedly, in a somewhat normal world.
But in our current situation, where we are headed into full blown slavery at lightspeed, how can we pardon those, who have the power, the reach, the faculties?? I am but an absolute nobody, I cannot reach anybody – but those who can? Are they not morally obligated to follow AND SPEAK the truth, wherever it takes them? Is it not betrayal to not to do?
The truth today is nothing more than a shimmering candlelight in a frickin tornado.
And also, if someone is just an old man in a chair – what does he have to lose???
🙁
[…] – Vernon Coleman’s Dictionary of Old English Words and Phrases […]
Even comparing 1950s, 1960s and 1970s language is interesting. In the fifties, gay was being carefree, joyful and happy, a coming out party was the coming out of the debutantes. In the 1970s, a tranny was a transistor radio.
For anybody who thinks it is not important…
Yes it is, it is one of the most important, if not THE most important lies to fight! With this, there will be always a way for them to rule you with fear, which is totally fabricated.
Watch this, why is this matters:
https://odysee.com/@drsambailey:c/Viruses-Don't-Exist-and-Why-It-Matters:4
This book came up because I was searching for an Old English (aka Anglo-Saxon) dictionary, this is apparently not such a book