Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue – Day 199

The Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue was first published at the end of the eighteenth century, and given that the current health crisis is giving too much time to read books, I thought I’d pick a daily word from it until I got bored….

Maggot Boiler

This is defined by Grose as “a tallow-chandler” and although he doesn’t offer an explanation in the dictionary, it’s because of the number of maggots which would be found in the fat which the candle makers use. It doesn’t like a job which seems entirely enjoyable if I’m being honest….