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Shelta

[ shel-tuh ]

noun

  1. a private language, based in part on Irish, used among Travelers in the British Isles.


Shelta

/ ˈʃɛltə /

noun

  1. a secret language used by some itinerant tinkers in Ireland and parts of Britain, based on systematically altered Gaelic
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


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Word History and Origins

Origin of Shelta1

First recorded in 1875–80; origin uncertain
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Word History and Origins

Origin of Shelta1

C19: from earlier sheldrū, perhaps an arbitrary alteration of Old Irish bēlre speech
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Example Sentences

Shelta is perhaps the last Old British dialect as yet existing which has thus far remained undiscovered.

This language, or jargon, known as Shelta, has been the subject of much learned writing.

Our informant could give only a single specimen of the Shelta literature.

Me tu sosti, “Thou shalt be (of) me,” is Romany, which is freely used in Shelta.

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