William Hogarth viaWikipedia Commons// Public Domain
The dictionary was intended for male eyes only , and as the foreword in the1811 editionstates , " improper topics can with our assistance be discussed , even before the ladies , without heighten a flush on the cheek of modestness . " Below are 17 terms and definition consume from this tome of " university slang . " Consider this the Georgian epoch Urban Dictionary .
1. BUTTOCK AND TONGUE
" A scolding wife . "
2. COMFORTABLE IMPORTANCE
" A wife . "
3. COVENT GARDEN NUN
" A working girl . "
4. CURTAIN LECTURE
" A charwoman who chide her husband when in layer , is said to record him a curtain lecture . "
5. DRURY LANE VESTAL
" A womanhood of the town , or working girl ; Drury - lane and its environs were formerly the residence of many of those dame . "
6. FREEHOLDER
" He whose married woman accompanies him to the alehouse . "
7. HENPECKED
" A married man govern by his wife , is said to be henpecked . "
8. HUSSY
" An abbreviation of housewife , but now always used as a term of reproach ; as , How now , hussy ? or , She is a light jade . "
9. LACED MUTTON
10. LAWFUL BLANKET
11. PUBLIC LEDGER
" A prostitute : because , like that newspaper , she is open to all parties . "
12. RIB
" A married woman : an allusion to our common mother Eve , made out of Adam ’s rib . A corrupt costa : a cross - grained married woman . "
13. TENANT AT WILL
" One whose married woman usually bring him from the alehouse . "
14. TENANT FOR LIFE
" A matrimonial man ; i.e. possessed of a woman for life . "
15. WHITHER-GO-YE
" wife being sometimes apt to question their husbands whither they are going . "
16. WIFE IN WATER COLOURS
" A schoolmarm , or courtesan ; water colourise being , like their engagements , well effaced , or dissolved . "
17. XANTIPPE
" The name of Socrates ’s wife : now used to mean a termagant or reprimand married woman . "
