Flappers 2 Rappers: American Youth Slang [Paperback]

Tom Dalzell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1999 | ISBN-10: 0877796122 | ISBN-13: 978-0877796121 | Edition: 1

This entertaining, highly readable book pulses with the vernacular of young Americans, tracing slang terms and expressions from the end of the 19th century to the present. In addition to alphabetical listings for each decade, it features fascinating word histories and sidebars about language and culture. Great for browsing as well as for reference.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Few things remain constant from generation to generation, but one propensity that's always in vogue is the youthful joy of inventing slang (or as Gustavo Arriolo's spider said to the dog in "Gordo," "Cool expressions change with each generation, dog, dig?"). It's always entertaining to read up on slang, but Tom Dalzell heightens the interest by organizing the youth talk chronologically. Starting with college slang in the 1850s, where "to gorm" was to eat voraciously, Dalzell proceeds to the slang of the 1920s flappers, then devotes a chapter to each succeeding decade, right up to the "circle of death" (bad pizza) of the 1990s. With scholarly derivations and social history, Dalzell has put together a totally cuspy lexicon that's slammin' cool beans.

About the Author

Tom Dalzell is a contributor for Merriam-Webster Inc titles including: 'Flapper2Rappers'

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Merriam-Webster; 1 edition (January 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0877796122
• ISBN-13: 978-0877796121
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,530,404 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More than just a reference guide, March 22, 2000

By 

Bill Wood - See all my reviews

This review is from: Flappers 2 Rappers: American Youth Slang (Paperback)

Mr.Dalzell's book, is, as it was designed to be, a first-class reference source for anyone who wants to know how American youth spoke and when they spoke that way. But, in fact, this book is a great deal more than just a reference resource. The text can indeed be read as an incisive, compassionate, witty, and ultimately, quite moving account of American youth - a time of life when we are all at the mercy of our dreams. From the opening quaintnesses of the 1850's, to the jagged, scarey rhythms of rap in the 1990's Dalzell establishes a through line to make it all of a comprehensible piece. He ends his book with a valediction that will make you smile and maybe dab at your eyes for a moment too, as he makes manifest his enormous affection and respect for all embattled youth, no matter when they were young.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Baloney, cooties, and 23 skidoo, March 7, 2004

By 

mary (Palisades, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Flappers 2 Rappers: American Youth Slang (Paperback)

This book is so much more than a dictionary. It's a look at the evolution of American life, a glimpse of history, and an affirmation of how similar we are when we are young. One of my all-time favorite reads, believe it or not!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Way Cool Reading for the Hip Hop Generation, January 20, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (Pomona, California, U.S.A.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Flappers 2 Rappers: American Youth Slang (Paperback)

Dalzell chronicles the use of slang from decade to decade, ranging from G.I. slang from WWII to the lexicon of the Beat movement to inner-city speak for such taboos as drugs and sex. Dalzell also created smaller highlighted sections for slang that was used in smaller circles, such as Chicano vocabulary that one is likely to hear on the streets of East L.A. (take it from someone who has been there). Each section is illustrated by a different, well-known artist, which really brings the text to life. Flappers 2 Rappers is an intriguing study of youth and culture throughout this century. It would make an excellent addition to any classroom dealing with English as a Second Language or American idioms and slang.