burn the ken
Preserved but no longer current.
Meaning · English
Strollers living in an alehouse without paying their quarters, are said to burn the ken. CANT.
Era: ca. 1811 (Georgian)
Where it’s used:
Origin
British & Irish English
Sources & notes
Historical definition reproduced from Grose’s Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue (1811 edition, public domain; Project Gutenberg #5402, retrieved 2026-07-31). Reflects the attitudes of its era.
Common questions
What does “burn the ken” mean?
Strollers living in an alehouse without paying their quarters, are said to burn the ken. CANT.
Is “burn the ken” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.