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.

Imperial – the term “imperial” designated the officially adopted uniform system of weights and measures that replaced the MANY different standards that the English had used prior to 1820

Impropriate – tithes made to a layman rather than to a member of the clergy

in-alt – a term used when referring to music, meaning in the first octave above the treble staff, also used to mean high or in transports.

Incomparable – This word was used to describe a female of the ton who was thought to have no rivals match or peer.  This word may have been coined by Georgette Heyer, for I haven’t been able to find direct usage (with the capital I) in original sources. The combination of an “incomparable female” was used often in middle to late Victorian text, but I have found nothing in the Georgian/Regency; yet, I shall keep on looking.

Indenture – the agreement between an apprentice and the master craftsman

India Office – the governmental office that oversaw “issues” in India

india rubber – used to make erasers

inexpressibles – breeches

inform – to bring formal criminal charges against a person

in-law – used to both designate a relationship achieved through marriage (mother-in-law, brother-in-law, etc.), as well as a step relationship [also “brother” and “sister” was often used to designate an “in-law” relationship]

impost takers – usurers who attend the gaming tables and lend money at great premiums

Inns of Court – four institutions [the Inner Temple, the Middle Temple, Lincoln’s Inn, and Gray’s Inn] which housed barristers and their law offices, as well as dining facilities for the barristers and law students

introductions – introducing a new person to a party or group was always the responsibility of someone who knew him/her. New acquaintances would curtsey or bow, while handshaking was reserved for true friends. Self-introductions were allowed by people of higher rank. People of lower rank had to wait for an introduction and remain silent in mixed-rank company until such an introduction was made. Once introduced to someone, it was expected to forevermore acknowledge that person with a bow, curtsey or nod.

Irish Union Act – actually two complementary acts [The Union with Ireland Act 1800 and The Act of Union 1800]; passed on 2 July 1800 and 1 August 1800 respectively, the twin Acts united the Kingdom of Great Britain and the Kingdom of Ireland to create the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland; the union came into effect on 1 January 1801

ironmongers – a seller of hardware

irregulars – part-time volunteers or militia

jabber – to talk thick and fast

jackboots – above the knee boots, often worn by the military to protect the knee/leg from leg injuries and sword attacks

Jack Ketch – an infamous hangman from the 1600s; his name became synonymous with the hangman

Jack of Legs – a tall long-legged man; also a “giant,” said to be buried in Weston Church, near Baldock in Hertfordshire where there are two stone fourteen feet distant, said to be the head and foot stones marking his grave. This giant supposed lived in a wood nearby and was a great robber. He was said to plunder the rich and give to the poor. For this purpose, he often stole bread from the Baldock bakers, who caught him, put out his eye, and hanged him upon the knoll for his offences. He asked to have his bow and arrow placed in his hands before he was hung. He shot it off and where it landed was to be his burial place. In fell in the Weston churchyard. Some 70 years later, a very large thigh bone was taken out of the church chest, where it had lain on display for many years. It was sold by the clerk to Sir John Tradescant, who, it is said, placed it among the rarities of Oxford.

Jacobites – partizans for the Stuart family; from the name of the abdicated king, i.e., James or Jacobus. People say, especially those of the Whigs party, that even God changed Jacob’s name to “Israel,” so the descendants of Jacob would not be called “Jacobites.”

jade – a term of reproach for women

Janeites – a term used for devoted fans of Jane Austen; was popularized by Rudyard Kipling in a short story called “The Janeites,” first published in 1924

jarvey – driver of a hackney coach

Jehu – to drive furiously; likely from a king of Israel who was a famous charioteer and was mentioned as such in the Bible

jet – coal that is highly polished and made into beads, etc.; one of the few jewels that were considered acceptable to wear during mourning

Jerry Sneak – a henpecked husband; from a character from a celebrated play from the playwright Samuel Foote

jig – a lively one-person dance

jilt – a tricking woman, who encourages the addresses of a man who she means to deceive and abandon

jinglers – horse cosers, frequently found at county fairs

job – guinea

jobber – one who rented horses

The Jockey Club and later The Female Jockey Club (a supposedly anonymous pamphlet, also known as Sketch of the Manners of the Age) – written in 1792 and 1794 (respectively) by the Radical journalist Charles Pigott; to answer the questions of the Prince Regent “unsuitable friends,” his mistress Mrs Fitzherbert, and his debts. “This anonymous book is the work of Charles Pigott, a radical satirist who ran the gauntlet of persecution for his political views. Piggot wrote the Jockey Club in 1792 followed by The Female Jockey Club some two years later. Both mix character assassination with radical politics, denouncing the opulence of the aristocracy amidst ‘deplorable wretchedness’. Although the full names of the ladies here scrutinized are suppressed, there is little doubt of their true identity. Not all are uniformly denounced, and several are praised for their charity and kindness.” Hordern Books

jointure – the portion of the husband’s estate which he would leave to his widow upon his death; part of the “marriage settlements” which preceded marriages: Typically the amount is negotiated based on the portion she brought to the marriage, and is generally established as part of the marriage settlement.

joseph – an old-fashioned long coat, which was worn by a woman when riding; was buttoned down the front

jug-bitten: inebriated

junior lordship – subordinate positons in governmental departments

justice of the peace – position to regulate peaceful/law affairs in a county; commissioned from the lord lieutenant

Juvenilia – the early works of Jane Austen; a collection of stories, plays and poems written by Jane Austen for the amusement of family get-togethers. These works filled up three notebooks and it is believed were worked on from 1787 through 1793 and then again from 1809 through 1811 with some additions made to them by her niece and nephew Anna and James Edward Austen. The works contained in the Juvenilia a look into Jane Austen’s satirical side.

kate – Cant. for a picklock

(out of) kelter – out of order

Kensington – an area just beyond Hyde Park in the western section of London

Kemp’s Morris – William Kemp is said to have been the original “Dogberry” in Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing.” Kemp supposed danced a morris from London to Norwich in nine days, of which he printed the account, entitled, “Kem’ps Nine Days Wonder.”

Kent Street Ejectment – to take away the street door: A method practiced by the landlords of Kent Street in Southwark when their tenants were more than a fortnight in arrears for rent

kettle of fish – when a person has perplexed his affairs, he is said to have made a fine kettle of fish of it.

King’s Bench – one of the three superior courts of common law that sat in Westminster Hall in London; heard criminal cause

K. C. – an abbreviation following the name of barristers who were actually supposed to be counselors to the king; the initials represent “King’s Counsel”

kit – a dancing master, so called from his “kit” or “cittern,” a small fiddle, which dancing masters always carry about with them to play to their scholars

knee breeches – A pair of men’s knee length trousers usually worn with stockings (similar to to modern ladies’ leggings).

knife – long favored as the instrument with which one ate; forks were late comers to the English table.

knight – the lowest of the titled ranks; used “Sir” before his given name (Sir William in Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice”); his wife was “Lady” + surname (Lady Lucas); a knight’s property was not automatically entailed