Backslang, in which a word or alteration of a word is reversed, enjoyed some pop- ularity in Britain, chiefly among members of the underworld, the sub-proletariat and certain trades such as meat porter- ing. It is also sometimes used by school- children to disguise taboo conversations. Forms of backslang exist in other Euro- pean languages, notably in the Parisian verlan which is still thriving. The only well-known 'mainstream' example of backslang is yob from boy.

Compare pig Latin.