THE LANGUAGE OF CRIME. 831 



individuals, evolution tends to establish among "beings primarily 

 rivals a modus rivendi which insures the free expansion of their 

 species an expansion progressive, but which will eventually find 

 its limits in the new struggle which species, triumphant through 

 their union, will have to sustain against adjacent species. 



What horizons does the study of ants open to the mind of the 

 naturalist ! The scrutiny of their relations with plants is suiii- 

 cient to procure for the investigators who devote their efforts to 

 it the most lively enjoyment which the naturalist's mind can ask 

 for. Those who have succeeded in raising this little corner of 

 the veil of Nature should be ever grateful to the ants for it. 

 Ti'anslated for the Popular Science Montlily from the Revue Sci- 

 entifique. 



THE LANGUAGE OF CRIME. 



By a. F. B. CEOFTON. 



THE language of criminals the argot of Paris, the " patter " of 

 London has been carefully investigated by numerous writers, 

 with very variant results. 



Its origin is difficult to explain. Criminals, say many authors, 

 have found it necessary to adopt a technical language for their 

 own protection, that they may be able to converse in public with- 

 out being understood. " They have been forced to do this, and 

 have made a language as sinister and as vile as themselves." 

 This theory can not be admitted. Certainly the argot is sinister 

 and vile and thoroughly representative of the class that uses it, 

 but further than this we can not go. 



The theory that the use of this dialect is of any assistance to 

 the criminal is inadmissible. Most policemen and all prison offi- 

 cers know this slang, sometimes better than the thieves. To speak 

 it in the hearing of a detective is to invite arrest ; to speak it in 

 the presence of the general public would arouse suspicion and 

 attract attention two things which are especially to be avoided. 

 Why, then, does it exist ? Dr. Laurent, of the Sant(j prison in 

 Paris, has given an explanation which has at least nothing to 

 contradict it : The persons engaged in every trade form a species 

 of dialect or technical phraseology which is spoken and understood 

 only by themselves. Criminals, who practice a trade as old as any, 

 have gradually acquired a language more adapted to their wants, 

 more in keeping with their ideas and thoughts. Miserable, heart- 

 less, engaged in a perpetual struggle against morality, law, and 

 decency, they have acquired a language of debased words and 

 cynical metaphors, a language of abbreviated expressions and 

 obscene synonyms. 



