Louchebem

Encryption replaces the words by changing them applying successively some rules:

- Move the first consonant or syllable in the end of the word.

Example: BOUCHER becomes OUCHERB

- Insert the letter L at the beginning of the word

Example: OUCHERB becomes LOUCHERB

- Add a syllable slang at the end, usually -ji, -oc, -euil, -uche, -ès, or -em

Example: LOUCHERB becomes for example LOUCHERBEM

As the language of butchers is primarily a spoken language it allows many simplifications

Example: LOUCHERBEM was shortened to LOUCHEBEM (phonetically)

Decryption is to undo the changes by encryption to find the original words:

- Delete the added final syllable

Example: LOUCHERBEM becomes LOUCHERB

- Remove the initial L

Example: LOUCHERB becomes OUCHERB

- Move the letter or the final syllable at the beginning

Example: OUCHERB becomes BOUCHER.

The message contains many words beginning with L and the final syllable is sounding like (french?) slang: -ji, -oc, -ic -uche, -ès or -em.

Some Louchebem words have been used so much that they have entered the french slang dictionary, such as larfeuille, loufoque, largomuche etc.

Le Louchebem is similar to verlan.

There is no rule, it is preferable that the word has a good sound and be pronounceable.

Loucheben finds its first traces in the mid 19th century, and perhaps not by butchers. It was later popularized in Lyon and Paris (France)