GIPSEY then started, and partially merged into CANT, and the old story told by Harrison and others, that the first inventor of canting was hanged for his pains, would seem to be a fable, for jargon as it is, it was, doubtless, of gradual formation, like all other languages or systems of speech. The Gipseys at the present day all know the _old cant_ words, as well as their own tongue,—or rather what remains of it. As Borrow states, “the dialect of the English Gipseys is mixed with English words.”[13] Those of the tribe who frequent fairs, and mix with English tramps, readily learn the new words, as they are adopted by what Harman calls, “the fraternity of vagabonds.” Indeed, the old CANT is a common language to vagrants of all descriptions and origin scattered over the British Isles. Ancient English CANT has considerably altered since the first dictionary was compiled by Harman, in 1566. A great many words are unknown in the present tramps’ and thieves’ vernacular. Some of them, however, bear still their old definitions, while others have adopted fresh meanings,—to escape detection, I suppose. “ABRAHAM MAN” is yet seen in our modern SHAM ABRAHAM, or PLAY THE OLD SOLDIER, _i.e._, to feign sickness or distress. “AUTUM” is still a church or chapel amongst Gipseys; and “BECK,” a constable, is our modern cant and slang BEEK, a policeman or magistrate. “BENE,” or BONE, stands for _good_ in Seven Dials, and the back streets of Westminster; and “BOWSE” is our modern BOOZE, to drink or fuddle. A “BOWSING KEN” was the old cant term for a public house, and BOOZING KEN, in modern cant, has precisely the same meaning. “BUFE” was then the term for a dog, now it is BUFFER,—frequently applied to men. “CASSAN” is both old and modern cant for cheese; the same may be said of “CHATTES” or CHATTS, the gallows. “COFE,” or COVE, is still the vulgar synonyme for a man. “DRAWERS” was hose, or “hosen,”—now applied to the lining for trousers. “DUDES” was cant for clothes, we now say DUDDS. “FLAG” is still a fourpenny piece; and “FYLCHE” means to rob. “KEN” is a house, and “LICK” means to thrash; “PRANCER” is yet known amongst rogues as a horse; and “to PRIG,” amongst high and low, is to steal. Three centuries ago, if one beggar said anything disagreeable to another, the person annoyed would say “STOW YOU,” or hold your peace; low people now say STOW IT, equivalent to “be quiet.” “TRINE” is still to hang; “WYN” yet stands for a penny. And many other words, as will be seen in the glossary, still retain their ancient meaning.