phrase General Slang

Cut Whids

/kʌt wɪdz/ · phrase · slang

To speak or talk in the cant — and to 'cut bene whids' was to speak fair and friendly.

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Definitions

1

By extension, to give a good account of oneself in cant, marking one as a true member of the crew.

“He could cut whids with the best of them and pass for a born rogue.”
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2

To 'cut bene whids' — to speak well, kindly or fairly; the opposite of 'cut queer whids', to speak ill or threaten.

“Cut bene whids to the mort and she'll share the bread.”
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3

To speak or talk; 'whids' were words, so to cut whids was to utter words, to converse in the canting tongue.

“Cut whids softly, cove — there are queer cuffins listening.”
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Cut Whids In A Sentence

The two prigs sat in the corner cutting whids no honest man could follow.
Cut bene whids and you'll get a bed; cut queer ones and you'll get the road.
She cut whids so smooth the watch never marked her for a vagabond.

Origin & Usage

Recorded by Harman (1566), whose appended canting dialogue shows 'cut benar whyddes' (speak better words). 'Whid' for word persists in 'whiddle' (to inform or blab). Standard in canting glossaries through Grose (1785).

Variants cut bene whidscut benar whidswhids
Tags #thieves-cant#cant#historical#british#speech

People Also Ask

What does cut whids mean in thieves' cant?

To speak or talk — 'whids' meant words. Harman's 1566 sample dialogue uses 'cut benar whyddes', to speak better words.

What is the difference between bene and queer whids?

'Bene whids' are good, fair words; 'queer whids' are bad words or threats.

Is whid related to any modern word?

Yes — 'whiddle', meaning to inform or blab, descends from this cant root for 'word'.

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