New biography tells how a dictionary of convict language was born in early Newcastle

SB
May 8 2021 - 7:00am
LINES OF HISTORY: An image of Newcastle in 1812, around the time convict James Hardy Vaux wrote his dictionary of 'the flash language'. Picture: Courtesy, National Library of Australia
LINES OF HISTORY: An image of Newcastle in 1812, around the time convict James Hardy Vaux wrote his dictionary of 'the flash language'. Picture: Courtesy, National Library of Australia

THEY are words that hold not just a meaning but part of our national identity. Words such as "togs" and "duds", "toddler" and "swag". Even this article is "spinning a yarn".

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SB

Scott Bevan is a senior writer for The Newcastle Herald. He has also worked in radio and television and is the author of six books.

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