"Eighteenth-Century England: Enigmatic Characters Accused of Ingesting Dice May Have Been Mythical or Exceptionally Skilled"
In the bustling streets of 18th-century England, gambling was a popular pastime, with many engaging in it from pubs to private clubs to the drawing rooms of the aristocracy [1]. However, a fascinating tale has been circulating on social media platforms, suggesting the existence of a unique profession during this era – dice swallowers in illegal gambling dens.
A quick fact-check by Snopes, a renowned fact-checking website, has found no strong evidence supporting this claim [2]. The historical sources referenced do allude to gambling with dice in 18th-century Britain but do not detail the presence of professional dice swallowers or similar performers within gambling contexts [1].
Dice swallowing, as a practice, is known in various cultures as a form of entertainment or a trick, often associated with street performers or magicians rather than a dedicated profession within illegal gambling operations.
However, reports from the late 19th and early 20th centuries suggest that the profession may have been more common during that era than previously thought. These reports, along with mentions in several fictional works published around the same time, may have contributed to the viral internet claim about dice swallowing in 18th-century English gambling dens [2].
It's important to note that the Bow Street Runners, London's first professional police force, were tasked with combating crime, including illegal gambling. During this time, authorities were allowed to seize all cash on the premises if they had hard evidence of gaming activity [3]. If dice swallowers did exist, it would have been a strategy employed to avoid the seizure of gambling apparatus during police raids.
Despite the lack of contemporary evidence from 17th-century court records or newspapers, the underground and secretive nature of gambling dens could have obscured their existence. The profession, if it did exist, would have been a fascinating addition to the rich history of gambling in 18th-century England.
For those interested in delving deeper into the histories of gambling or performance arts in 18th-century England, specialized historical texts or archives might offer more insight. Until then, the existence of dice swallowers as a profession in illegal gambling dens in that era remains unsubstantiated.
[1] 'Gambling in 18th-century Britain: A Historical Overview', The British Library, accessed on 30th March 2023. [2] 'Dice Swallowers in 18th-century England: Fact or Fiction?', Snopes, accessed on 30th March 2023. [3] 'The Bow Street Runners: London's First Professional Police Force', The National Archives, accessed on 30th March 2023.
- Despite the skepticism raised by Snopes, some reports from the late 19th and early 20th centuries hint that the profession of dice swallowers might have been more prevalent during those times than previously assumed.
- In fictional works published around the same time, there are mentions of dice swallowers in illegal gambling dens, which could have contributed to the viral internet claim regarding their existence in 18th-century England.
- If dice swallowers did exist, it's plausible they would have adopted strategies like swallowing dice to avoid the seizure of gambling apparatus during police raids, given the Bow Street Runners' efforts to combat illegal gambling.
