a form of cant language used by criminals among themselves; (hence) unintelligible jargon, gibberish.

= pedlar's French n. at pedlar, n.1 compounds 2.

The peculiar language or jargon of a class. The secret language or jargon used by gipsies, thieves, professional beggars, etc.; transferred any…

The special vocabulary used by any set of persons of a low or disreputable character; language of a low and vulgar type. (Now merged in sense 1c.)

The slang or coded language formerly used by criminals; cant. Cf. gammon and patter at gammon, n.4 int.phrases 2. Now disused.

= thieves' Latin n. at thief, n. compounds 2b.

cant used by thieves.

A form of slang or cant chiefly used by vagrants, criminals, and itinerant craftspeople in parts of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, based on…

The slang of the criminal underworld. rare.

Of, relating to, or characteristic of Damon Runyon or his style, language, or imagery; esp. characterized by plot or language suggestive of…

The cant or language of professional criminals, esp. in the United States.

(See quots.).