In the singular form the lexicon of a particular subject is all the terms associated with it. The lexicon of a person or group is all the words they commonly use. As a plural noun, a lexicon is an alphabetical list of the words in a language or the words associated with a particular subject. To distinguish lexicon from a dictionary, it is an alphabetical list of the words in a language or the words associated with a particular subject.
These examples are a mix of what one might hear upon the lips of the aristocracy, as well as examples of Cant used upon London’s streets and those terms used by farmers and like in the country.
Regency Era Lexicon – We Begin with “A”
Abbey School – Founded in 1887, the Abbey School is currently to an independent selective day school for girls in Reading, Berkshire. The novelist Jane Austen attended Reading Ladies Boarding School within Abbey Gateway, circa 1785, which is commemorated by, and incorporated into the Abbey School’s crest.
Abbess – the mistress of a brothel
abigail – a lady’s waiting maid
acceptance – putting one’s name on a bill of exchange; writing “accepted” across the bill meant one was liable to pay the bill
accounts – to cast up one’s accounts; to vomit
Act of Parliament – a military term for small beer, five pints of which, by an act of parliament, a landlord was formerly obliged to give to each soldier gratis
Adam’s ale – water
addle pate – an inconsiderate foolish fellow
Admiral of the Fleet – the highest rank of a military naval officer – The Admiral of the Fleet is often reserved for wartime and ceremonial appointments. Frank Austen held the rank. As was customary, the admiral who was the oldest and held the most seniority was given that rank.
advowson – having the right to appoint someone to a benefice (a church office that provides a living for its holder through an endowment attached to it)
Ægrotat (Cambridge) – a certificate from the apothecary stating you are too “indisposed” to attend Chapel or Hall
affidavit men – false witnesses; they are said to attend Westminster Hall and other courts of justice, ready to swear upon being hired to do so any thing required
against the grain – unwilling
Age of Sensibility – During the Age of Sensibility, literature reflected a rational and scientific approach to religion, politics, and economics. The period is marked by a secular view of the world and a general sense of progress.
agog (All-a-gog) – anxious, eager, impatient (from the Italian word “agogare,” meaning to desire eagerly)
ague – a disease (originally malaria) marked by fever and chills
alderman – a member of the government from a municipal borough; elected by a council; were to support the mayor of the borough
alderman – slang for a roasted turkey garnished with a string of sausages (which were supposed to represent the gold chain worn of those types of magistrates)
ale post – a May pole
all-a-mort – confounded; struck dumb (likely comes from Shakespeare’s line in The Taming of the Shrew, “How fares my Kate? What, sweet one, all-a-mort?” – possibly from French à la mort
all hollow – a decided thing from the beginning; he had no chance of winning
all nations – a composition of all the different spirits sold in a dram shop; collected in a vessel into which the drainings of the bottles and quartern pots are emptied
almshouse – lodgings for the poor, which were supported by private funds rather than public charity
Almack’s – a social club in London from 1765 to 1871; one of the first to admit both men and women; Almack’s came to be governed by a select committee of the most influential and exclusive of London’s haut ton: Ameila Stewart (Viscountess Castlereagh); Sarah Villiers (Countess of Jersey); Emily Lamb (Lady Cowper); Maria Molyneux (Countess of Sefton); The Hon. Mrs. Drummond Burrell; Dorothea Lieven (Countess de Lieven); Countess Esterházy
ambassador of Morocco – a shoemaker
amen curler – a parish clerk
amiable – To be amiable was to be friendly and easy going
angling for farthings – begging out of a prison window with a cap or box, which is let down on a long string
annuity – A set sum paid out to the terms of a will or settlement; after the death of a husband, the annuity was the woman’s only source of income
to knock Anthony – said of an in-kneed person, or one whose knees knock together
antimacassar – early Victorian gentlemen applied macassar oil to their hair; to prevent it from coming off on the furniture, ladies pinned antimacassar (small white doilies) to the backs of chairs and sofas; the gentlemen could lean his head back on the furniture without staining it
apoplexy – a stroke
apothecary – the lowest ranking medical men in the social sphere – They dealt with selling their items; therefore, apothecaries were considered tradesmen.
apron – part of a bishop’s formal garb
apron string hold – an estate held by a man during his wife’s life
aristocracy – used to designate the peerage
arsy varsy – to fall head over heels
articles – breeches; coat; waistcoat
article – a wench; prime article; a handsome girl “She’s a prime article.”
articles of marriage – The family lawyer for a wife with a dowry would consult with the future husband’s man of business to draft the “marriage articles.” This marriage settlement stipulated how money was to be settled upon the man’s wife and children. The marriage settlements determined upon what the woman would live if her husband passed before her.
assembly room – In the 18th and 19th Century, assembly rooms were gathering places for member of the upper social class. For a ten-guinea subscription, a person could purchase twelve weeks of a weekly ball and supper.
Autem Quavers – Quakers
assizes – Outside of London, justice was dispensed by justices of the peace at petty or quarter sessions. Capital cases and other criminal cases were adjudicated by circuit-riding judges from the superior common law courts in London of Common Pleas, King’s Bench, and the Exchequer after they finished their regular terms. The semi-annual sessions were known as the assizes.
Other Sources:
Other Sources:
Every Woman Dreams... 
Do you intend to go through the rest of the alphabet?
Yes, Cara, will be adding a new letter each week.
Thanks! Great information.
Glad you enjoyed it, Vikki.