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Reprint of the original, first published in 1859.

Reprint of the original, first published in 1859.

Reproduction of the original: Vocabulum by George W. Matsell

Reproduction of the original: Vocabulum by George W. Matsell

George Washington Matsell (1811-1877) was the first New York City Police Commissioner. This dictionary of American thieves' cant, compiled from the most authentic sources, was published in 1859.

As New York City's Chief of Police and an owner of the National Police Gazette, George W. Matsell [1811-1877] had an abiding interest in criminal speechways. Although he compiled this dictionary for his colleagues in law enforcement, Matsell recognized its value to the linguist. As he notes in the preface, criminal terms were beginning to enter general usage and appeared regularly in newspapers, court reports and other publications. Includes s...

American law-enforcement pioneer GEORGE WASHINGTON MATSELL (1811-1877) modernized police procedures and became the first commissioner of the New York City Police Department after its formation in 1844. He also created this astonishing little book, first published in 1859, which may well be one of the most extraordinary guides to a subculture ever written. Here, Matsell collects and defines the deceptive jargon of criminals, cutpurses, and o...

Published just before the Civil War, this dictionary offers a fascinating glimpse into the American underworld in the first half of the nineteenth century As New York City's Chief of Police and an owner of the National Police Gazette, George W. Matsell [1811-1877] had an abiding interest in criminal speechways. Although he compiled this dictionary for his colleagues in law enforcement, Matsell recognized its value to the linguist. As he not...