Victorian Slang of the Week

Volume 1, A-G, J.E.Lighter Editor

Okay, I’m back, at least I’m trying to be back.  I don’t have the slang for the year figured out, but here’s something for today!

blackleg–a progressional gambler or swindler, especially a racetrack swindler.  It goes back as far as 1771, but seems to be most comonely used after about 1821, throughout the century.  In the beginning it was two words: black leg(s)but by about 1850 it was written as one.

 

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