St Giles' Greek

English

Etymology

The term comes from the St Giles' area of present-day central London which, during the 17th and 18th centuries, was notorious as a refuge for thieves and other criminals.

Proper noun

St Giles' Greek

1. (cant) A secret language, as spoken by beggars and thieves.

References

• The 1811 Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue, originally by Francis Grose.