Shelta

American  

[shel-tuh] / ˈʃɛl tə /

noun

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

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Shelta British  

/ ˈʃɛltə /

noun

1. a secret language used by some itinerant tinkers in Ireland and parts of Britain, based on systematically altered Gaelic

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Etymology

Origin of Shelta

First recorded in 1875–80; origin uncertain

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Shelta

He also knew others, such as Romany, of which he was proud, and the Shelta or Minklas of the tinkers, of which he was not. 

From The Gypsies by Charles Godfrey Leland

Mr. Simson, had he known the “Tinklers” better, would have found that not Romany, but Shelta, was the really secret language which they employed, although Romany is also more or less familiar to them all. 

From The Gypsies by Charles Godfrey Leland

I have always supposed that the tinkers’ language spoken of by Shakespeare was Romany; but I now incline to think it may have been Shelta.

From The Gypsies by Charles Godfrey Leland

I have spoken of Shelta as a jargon; but it is, in fact, a language, for it can be spoken grammatically and without using English or Romany. 

From The Gypsies by Charles Godfrey Leland

But of late years the old tinkers’ families are mostly broken up, and the language is perishing.” p. 358Then he proceeded to give us the words in Shelta, or Minklers Thari. 

From The Gypsies by Charles Godfrey Leland