The Oxford Dictionary of Modern Slang (Oxford Paperback Reference) [Paperback]

John Ayto (Author), John Simpson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 28, 2005 | ISBN-10: 0198610521 | ISBN-13: 978-0198610526

Here are over 5,000 slang words and phrases common to 20th-century English, providing a comprehensive and highly engaging guide to the most outspoken corner of our language. Unlike most such dictionaries this volume is organized thematically. Within each section the words are listed chronologically, starting with the century's earliest words and phrases and progressing right through to the present day, thus illuminating the development of slang and colloquial language over the last hundred years. Word origins and other interesting features of usage are given wherever possible, as are illustrative quotations from a wide range of authors. A comprehensive A-Z index lists all words included in the dictionary, so you can find a particular word quickly. From five-finger discount to forty-rod whiskey, this is an authoritative and up-to-date record of slang throughout the English language.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Incorporating slang newly emerged or otherwise evolved since the 1996 edition, Ayto (Twentieth Century Words) and Simpson (chief editor, OED) have expanded the compilation to over 6000 words and phrases harvested from the Oxford English Dictionary database. Each paragraph-long entry presents an abbreviated etymological provenance, its connotative meaning—whether derogatory or unobjectionably humorous—and employs the word in a sentence to ensure thorough understanding of usage. Recommended for contemporary English literature and cultural studies collections.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review

`Review from previous edition a fount of digressive amusement ... There's a primitive delight in randomly discovering boong, choom, gongoozler, molly-dook, pinko, schlong, upter, vidiot, whanger, and zatch.' Times Literary Supplement

`There are neat definitions, etymologies, illustrative quotations, and just about everything you always wanted to know about poodle-faker, pooper-scooper, whatsisface and 5,000 other gems from abso-bloody-lutely to zilch.' John Gross, Sunday Telegraph

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Product Details

• Paperback: 324 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (April 28, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0198610521
• ISBN-13: 978-0198610526
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 4.9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 2.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,585,735 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Oxford Dictionary of not-so-modern Slang, February 18, 2004

By 

Serene (Marina, CA, United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Oxford Dictionary of Modern Slang (Oxford Paperback Reference) (Paperback)

I purchased this book with the hopes of improving the dialog of contemporary characters in my writing. Unfortunately, most of the slang words included in this book is not very 'modern' and seem to come from the 20's-60's and earlier. This would be fine if you are writing a story about gangsters, gun molls or flower children.

Unfortunately, I really don't see my characters using words like 'far-out,' 'drongo,' or 'face-fungus.'

Overall, a disappointing purchase. Perhaps useful if you are writing historic fiction.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Time to look up "Modern", January 31, 2005

By 

Michael C. Jacobs "miguelito_cin" (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Oxford Dictionary of Modern Slang (Oxford Paperback Reference) (Paperback)

In reference to LadyNaava's complaint that this volume doesn't actually contain current or recent slang. I fear that's impossible. At least for a bound reference. In the time it takes to print a book, let alone compile a dictionary, current slang changes, changes back, disappears and is replaced.

That said, the warning that this volume may not be up to date with many of the better "regular" dictionaries (which have recently added Homer's D'oh! after only twenty years) is appreciated.

1 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Not true to description!, February 20, 2006

By 

M. S. Velde "msvelde" (California, USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Oxford Dictionary of Modern Slang (Oxford Paperback Reference) (Paperback)

Beware: contrary to the item description above, this volume is not organized thematically; it does not contain any section.