Fightin’ Words: “Gangs of New York” Edition by Mark Hatmaker

A few choice tidbits from George, W. Matsell’s, Vocabulum, or The Rogue’s Lexicon (1859.) Keep in mind these are underworld terms from the New York area, we see a different vocabulary in other regions of the US of A.

Anointed-Flogged or beaten. “I anointed that Addle-cove.” “I beat the hell out of that ‘foolish-man.’

Barking-Irons—Pistols.

Fibbing-Punch or strike with the fist in general.

Flimp-To wrestle or grapple, all-in, not the sportsman version.

Gigg-Nose. “Snitchel the bloke’s gig.” “Bust the man’s nose.”

Gutter lane-The Throat. “Slice gutter-lane.” That means exactly what you think it does.

Hackum-One who specializes in slashing assaults with knife or razor.

Nope-Any blow be it punch, kick, elbows, knee, head-butt.

Rabbit-A tough athletic man who can take care of himself in a melee.

[Coming to the RAW Program in 2019--applications of "Hackum" and a Savate-American Indian Hybrid of "grapple-stomping" that reared its head in the Kuskokwim River region of Alaska. Much meanness occurred at the intersection of "Savages" and the "Lawless of Many Lands."]

[For more Rough& Tumble history see this blog, and for pragmatic applications of oldschool tactics historically accurate and viciously verified see our RAWSubscription Service.]

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