General
upright man
What does upright man mean?
By extension, a leading rogue of the first rank in the canting orders, distinguished from lesser beggars and thieves beneath him.
"He carried himself an upright man, and the lesser coves gave him room."
Origin
Set down in detail by Thomas Harman in 'A Caveat for Common Cursitors' (1566), which laid out the formal 'orders' of rogues. The upright man sat at the top of this grim hierarchy of vagabonds and beggars.
Frequently asked questions
What is an upright man in thieves' cant?
The chief of a band of vagabonds — the top rank in Harman's 1566 ordering of rogues, who took a share of all takings.
Where does the term come from?
From Harman's 'A Caveat for Common Cursitors' (1566), the earliest systematic English account of the canting crew.
What was a filchman?
The staff carried by the upright man as a badge of his authority over the begging crew.
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