The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1882-08-10
Signals and inverted Language of the
English Gypsies.

The English gypsies have telegraph
ic language of sounds, which is used
when the sound of voices might warn
others of their presence, or be other
wise Objectionable. This consists of
system Of taps given on the floor with
the foot, as if in imitation of a quick
step, or in some other audible manner.
And SO rapidly can words be commune
Gated in this way that ideas are convey
ed almost as quickly as if with a Morse
instrument and the best of batteries.
Many times. when enjoying the pleas
ures of literary reception in London
and other cities, when the topic of gyp-
sizes has presented itself, have my wife
and / astonished the guests by communi-
eating from either end of the room some
private message given to one or the
other. This telegraphic signaling is Oft
Ell used in the woods when O poachihg
expedition is going on. The gypsies tap
on the tree in imitation OF the wood
pecker. Thus, if any unusual or unac-
countable noise is heard. and danger is
suspected. they can ask if it Is made by
any cf their party. If no response is
given. they noiselessly beat retreat,
for these romantic people have the still,
gliding motions of an old bushranger OF
an Indian. when out on their dangerous
and unlawful ventures. The first time
of my appearance In the camp was on
the qu5 vioe for any peculiarly of Ian
guage, and, being an expert stenograph-
er, quietly took down everything that
I heard. After Boswell had talked for
some time with my friend. he turned to
one Of the young women and said what
| afterward found to be: "'Socleca! did
you ply your families ON that dell we
met on the pad to-dayP You'd benar
clay those duds from Purviss ruffmans.
dolly In the gefman. and mind you give
her pishyedal all the ben-whids she
wants. The girl replied: "Sya! I'd
have mooned them before, only saw
the old harmembeck around. take my
salamon. I'd have lambed him for
gage of benhouse, if it had been dark
men. That would if I'd had to trine
for it." Soon after this Boswell turned
to the pretty Vael and said: "Dost thou
be Blutfor! Jael, my lamps arc dasened.
and feel that if were on my strun-
mel / could couch hogshead." The
translations of these sentences would
make them read as follows: '.Socleca,"
(the girls nancy "did you use your
fingers (or pick the pockets) on that
young woman we met on the road to-
day? You'd better steal those clothes
from Purviss' hedges early in the MORN
ing. and mind you, give her ladyship
(Nlrs. Purviss, doubtless) all the good
words she wants" The girls reply
was: YES! I'd have had them before
only saw the old constable Cor beadle)
around. take my solemn oath I'd
have beaten him for q cup of liquor, if
it had been night. That I would. if l
had to hang for it"' Boswell's speech
to his daughter meant: ''Dost thou be
host, Vael; my eyes are growing sleepy,
and I feel that if / were on my straw
bed l could go to sleep" AS far rs 1
|, have been able to collect, the English
speaking gypsies only have about 12O of
these slang phrases and words. The
remainder or their words, when spoken
for secrecy, are arranged as before ex-
planned.