Whats the story behind our most popular slang phrases, from. Containing more than 19,000 terms of american slang, this lexicon represents all periods of american history, from phrases out of the 1880s, such as carrottop. The historical dictionary of american slang, often abbreviated hdas, is a dictionary of american slang. Chapman, the octionary of american slang with robert l. Slang, then, includes not just words but words used in a special way in a certain social context.
It contains over 2200 slang words with the centuries in which they were first printed. This compact and wellformatted book features more than 8,500. Random house historical dictionary of american slang, volume i. The history of america is buried in a surprising placethe unique phrases we use every day. Biographies of generals, presidents, activists, etc.
The first dictionary of english slang is said to be thomas harmans a caveat or warening for commen cursetors, published in 1567. This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Ntcs dictionary of american slang and colloquial expressions by richard a. If it has one abstract concept, it is doubt, with which it gleefully undermines every vestige of true belief. A righteous reference and a lulu of a browser, the dictionary of american slang is an elegantly produced and scholarly rigorous linguistic knockout. If you enjoy our american slang dictionary, you should get a kick out of this glossary of words pronounced with a southern accent. Best nonfiction american history books books about the history of the united states. Expanded and completely updated, this third edition contains more than 19,000 terms of representing the variety and vigor of american slang, from the most widely acceptable to the taboo, and covering all periods of american history from the gypsies, soldiers, railroad workers and. Discover unique things to do, places to eat, and sights to see in the best destinations around the world with bring me. Hilarious american slang words that came from the irish. Ones best self, often in relation to a competition. Random house historical dictionary of american slang, volume i book. Dollars to doughnuts, your reference shelf lacks a good slang dictionary, and thats a fine howdedo. Goodwords glossary of quaint southernisms if you enjoy our american slang dictionary, you should get a kick out of this glossary of words pronounced with a southern accent.
Characteristically individual, slang often incorporates elements of the jargons of specialinterest groups e. An alternative history of english slang by max decharne is published by serpents tail. The best books on slang 1 a dictionary of modern slang, cant and vulgar words by john camden hotten. The absurd history of english slang how foulmouthed poets and ingenious commoners redefined the english languageshares. Dictionary of american slang 4e by barbara ann kipfer. List of books and articles about slang online research. Random house historical dictionary of american slang vol. There are the many works of my predecessors, who started off in 1530. We personally assess every book s quality and offer rare, outofprint treasures. Random house historical dictionary of american slang vol 3. Random house historical dictionary of american slang, vol. At its heart, even its most obscene and gutterdwelling heart, it is subversive. Even if the individual terms that make up the vocabulary may be dismissed as ephemeral and more stay than disappear the persistence of these themes ensures that slang lasts.
The tools of my trade are the books that sit on my shelves and those that i research elsewhere. A superb dictionary of american slang, from every point of view, presented with a rare lexicographical intelligence. Provides background information on the facts, events, trends, and policies of american history, with definitions for both familiar and obscure topics. Whether youre a stuffy writer looking to gussy up your prose, a poindexter who thinks studying dictionaries is the cats pajamas, or a muttonheaded fogey hoping to get a clue, robert chapmans dictionary of american slang fills the bill. I have no idea what makes a slang word stick, says tom dalzell, author of a slew of books on slang, including vietnam war slang and flappers 2. Originally considered to be the language of foreigners and criminals, slang began to be used by writers in the 1900s. Cracker, sometimes white cracker or cracka, is a racial epithet for white people, used especially for poor rural whites in the southern united states.
Dictionary of american slang by harold and stuart berg flexner wentworth and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Embracing english, american, and angloindian slang, pidgin english, tinkers jargon and other irregular phraseo paperback or softback by barrere, albert and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Learn more about slang in popular culture and find links to online american slang dictionaries. Words and phrases from the hood to the amen corner by geneva smitherman, houghton mifflin co. Find the top 100 most popular items in amazon books best sellers. Featured texts all books all texts latest this just in smithsonian libraries fedlink us genealogy lincoln collection. By the eighteenth century, we became our own slave masters. It is sometimes used in a neutral context in reference to a native of florida or georgia see florida cracker and georgia cracker.
The small island nation of ireland has a huge diaspora in the united states, due to several large migrations which started in the 17th and lasted all throughout the 19th and the 20th century. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read dictionary of american slang 4e. Ever wonder where your favorite slang words came from. By the 18th century, the differences between america and other english speaking countries prompted the evolution of slang. Containing more than 19,000 terms of american slang, this lexicon represents all periods of american history, from phrases out of the 1880s, such as carrottop for redhead, to current 90s jargon such as carjacking. Throughout the years, america has learned to evolve. I have books on slang from britain, i have shelves of australiarelated slang as well as american stuff and black american slang. Lighter, june 2002, reference publications edition, hardcover in english. Particularly to be appreciated are the abundant comments on usage and. I dont know if it is a book or not, but here is a website.
It contains over 2200 slang words with the centuries in. Slang insults, slang mocks, slang teases and disdains. Latin american cultural studies latin american studies latin american and caribbean history south american indigenous languages union american civil war american psychological association american romanticismamerican renaissance american studies american vernacular architecture american towns and cities. Search the history of over 424 billion web pages on the internet. Slang words often come from foreign languages or are of a regional nature.
Paperback fun to read and packed with information, this contemporary dictionary of american slang includes terms that are likely to be heard in movies, on television, in. For a time, any words not used in britain were considered slang. More than 10,000 ways to talk the talk new artful wordsmith series richard a. Both sources say the phrase dates back to the 1970s. Slang s thematic range is not wide, though its synonymy runs very deep, and one can see the same ideas recurring from classical greek and latin onwards. Another edition of the same book from 2002 or earlier links it to boogie. Originally published in 1960, the dictionary of american slang is widely regarded as the standard in its field. For the 411 on american slang, this guidebook is the top banana from head trip to foot in mouth, american slang dictionary gives you the complete definitions of thousands of uniquely american words and phrases, ranging from golden oldies such as catch some rays and.
New words say a lot about the society that invents them, according to this lively history of american slang. Two years after it was published in the uk and the us, an american book appeared called the. The best books on slang five books expert recommendations. Dictionary of american slang by wentworth, harold, 1904. The dates were taken from the oxford english dictionary, the online etymological dictionary, or the earliest occurrences our editors can remember in the. Slang is very old, and the reasons for its development have been much investigated. Popular american slang that people always use youtube. Todays lingo seems creative, but slang in 19th century america was every bit as colorful. When it comes to american slang, a lesser known fact is that a lot of it comes from the irish. The first citation in the historical dictionary of american slang is from 1974. Rhyming slang books ntcs dictionary of american slang and colloquial expressions.
The first two volumes, volume 1, a g 1994, and volume 2, h o 1997, were published by random house, and the work then was known as the random house historical dictionary of american slang, sometimes abbreviated as rhhdas. Dictionary of american history upper arlington public. Browse new and enduring titles on ancient history, european history, the civil war, u. Watch the trailer for beat girl, repository of choice slang such as straight from the fridge, dad. What is the origin of the slang term book meaning leave. Search the history of over 431 billion web pages on the internet. Thriftbooks sells millions of used books at the lowest everyday prices.
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