Speak the Language of Rogues
Thieves' Cant is the secret language used by rogues, scoundrels, and members of the Thieves' Guild across Faerûn. Learn to speak, translate, and understand this hidden tongue — and never be caught off guard again.
What is Thieves' Cant?
Thieves' Cant is a secret argot — a coded language — developed over centuries by criminal guilds, traveling vagabonds, and shadowy underworld organizations. In D&D 5e, every Rogue begins with the ability to understand it. It blends everyday words with hidden meanings, allowing guild members to speak openly in front of unsuspecting bystanders.
"The night air smells of blunt and darkmans — the prig has done well."
Translation: "The night air smells of money and darkness — the thief has done well."
Basic Rules of Thieves' Cant
As defined in the D&D 5e Player's Handbook (Rogue class feature)
4× Speaking Time
Conveying a message in Thieves' Cant takes four times as long as saying the same thing in a common language. Plan accordingly during tense negotiations.
Secret by Design
Non-initiates cannot understand Cant. Even if overheard, the conversation appears to be about something mundane to untrained ears.
Rogue Class Feature
At 1st level, all Rogues know Thieves' Cant. It is not a language that can be learned through the Linguist feat — it must be taught by the guild.
Written Code
Thieves' Cant can also be written in a system of marks and symbols, allowing messages to be left in public without arousing suspicion.
Core Concepts
The Words
Hundreds of coded words replace everyday terms. A "prig" is a thief, "blunt" is money, a "ken" is a house. Combine them naturally in conversation.
"The rum prig nabbed blunt from the ken." → The skilled thief stole money from the house.
Everyday Phrases
Words are combined into phrases that sound innocent to outsiders but carry secret meaning to those who know Cant.
"Bene darkmans, cove" → Good night, friend.
The Symbols
Beyond spoken words, guild members scratch secret symbols onto walls, doors, and posts — invisible messages in plain sight.
A circle with a cross = Safe house nearby. A crossed-out door = Danger, avoid this place.
Cant in Everyday Conversation
Here's how rogues communicate in plain sight:
"Bene morrow, cove. Any rum lour from the swell's ken last darkmans?"
"Good morning, friend. Any good loot from the rich man's house last night?"
"Aye, the rum diver cracked the pad and prigged the blunt — no harman-beck in sight."
"Yes, the skilled pickpocket broke in and stole the money — no constable in sight."
"Flash! Stow your whids, a queer cull approaches."
"Excellent! Quiet now, a suspicious person approaches."
Translator
Translate English words and full phrases into authentic Thieves' Cant — or decode Cant back to common tongue.
Dictionary
Browse hundreds of Cant terms organized by category. From people and places to actions and objects.
Secret Symbols
Discover the hidden marks left by thieves' guilds and vagabonds — and what each one means.
For D&D 5e Players & DMs
Rogues automatically know Thieves' Cant at level 1 — it's their class feature. Use the Translator to give your character an authentic voice.
As a DM, pepper your world with Cant-speaking NPCs, guild signs, and coded messages using our Symbol reference.
Looking for in-game flavor? Use the Phrase Translator to generate real Cant sentences your character would actually say.
Based on the "Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue" (1811) by Captain Francis Grose & "Le nouveau dictionnaire complet du jargon de l'argot" (1849) by Arthur Halbert d'Angers