John Camden Hotten wrote a book titled The Slang Dictionary Etymological Historical and Anecdotal, which was originally released in 1859. The book offers a compilation of slang terms and expressions from that era, together with explanations of their origins and definitions. Along with slang from different social classes and professions, it also contains slang used by criminals. The book went through many versions since it was well-liked at the time and subsequent editions included new slang terminology and updated definitions. For linguists, historians, and anybody else interested in the development of the English language, the book continues to be an important source of information.
English publisher, bookseller, and bibliophile John Camden Hotten (1832–1873) is most remembered for his efforts in compiling and publishing literature on slang and popular culture. He was born in London and started working for his father's publishing company at an early age, where he learned the book business. He established his own publishing company and bookstore in 1855, specializing in rare and antiquated books as well as fresh works on popular culture, such as songbooks, slang dictionaries, and manuals on prostitution and gambling. In addition to his job as a publisher, Hotten had a strong interest in the history of English literature and the theater, as well as other books and manuscripts. In addition to books and essays on these topics, he also wrote on the development of printing and publishing. The 1859 version of "A Dictionary of Modern Slang, Cant, and Vulgar Words," Hotten's most well-known work, was extensively read and had thousands of entries. Additionally, he published writings by writers like Walt Whitman, Edgar Allan Poe, and Charles Dickens. Hotten, an influential person in the history of English publishing and popular culture, passed away in 1873 at the age of 41.
