Customer Reviews

Dictionary of Slang and Unconventional English: Colloquialisms, and Catch-Phrases, Solecisms and Catachresis, Nicknames, and Vulgarisms

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This is an excellent reference work for readers of colloquial
English. It would be perfect for books like Captains Courageous
or The Yearling. The author provides a lexicographical foundation.
Common phrases are:
- to jigget (fidget)
- chalk a talk is a teacher
- saucy jack is an important fellow

The acqusition is well worth the price for professional proofreaders, writers, editors and readers of literature.

If you do any amount of reading,this is an excellent resource to have on your bookshelf.It is a big,dictionary sized book of 1400 pages,and has over 100,000 listings.It may not have every slang word or saying;but its certainly got a lot and more than that,it has a zillion you have never even heard.I find it fun to just open it up at any page and read away.
Just for fun,that is exacatly what I just did.I randomly opened it at page 377.The first entry was :

"fallen angel"-A defaulter,a bankrupt :Stock Exchange
I thought it meant a prostitute.Then I checked "soiled dove" a term used in the Old West.On page 1111 there it was
"soiled dove"-A high-flying harlot later C19-early C20.
then there's,
"false as my knife"-As with knives,so with false friends--they'll cut me.
Or how about
"fam trip"-A familiarization flight in a new aircraft.
or
"fan in a fin"-A helicopter's 13 tail roters which,since they are shrouded , are known as"fan in fin"
or how's this one;
"false hereafter"-A dress-improver or bustle-used 1890-1900.
Then there's this one,
"family pound"-A family grave.
or
"family hotel"-A prison. 1840-1890 "In a ward with one's pals,Not locked up in a cell."To an old hand like me it's a family hotel".

That should give you an idea of what to expect.I choose only a few of the many entries on this one page;and just imagine what is to be found on the other 1400 pages.