The New Dickson Baseball Dictionary (Hardcover)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Baseball is an etymologist's delight. The game coins words and phrases faster than Mark McGwire hits home runs (a.k.a. dingers, taters, round-trippers, four-baggers), and much of what begins as baseball-specific verbiage seeps into common usage. But why exactly is a high, lazy fly ball called "a can of corn," a pop-up that falls between the infield and the outfield a "Texas leaguer," a vicious curveball "Uncle Charlie," a poke that bounces off the plate a "Baltimore chop," and the minor leagues "the bushes"? Paul Dickson explains them--and about 7,000 more terms and expressions, names and events--in a wide-ranging work that's as much fun to browse through as it is specifically useful. Like its 1989 predecessor (which only sent 5,000 entries to the plate), the Dickson Baseball Dictionary arranges everything alphabetically, supplies definitions, offers examples, provides cross-references, and, most fascinating of all, traces word and phrase origins. As references go, it brings out the "lumber," looks "yard," and pretty much "touches 'em all." --Jeff Silverman

From Booklist

One would not think that a mere game, a sport, and not even a world sport at that, could be the basis for a lexicon of some 7,000 terms. Could the same be true for other games or team sports, such as soccer, which is played around the world and has a pedigree at least as old? It does not seem possible, unless languages other than English are taken into account. The game of baseball has, for various reasons, always stimulated more and better writing than rival sports. Baseball has been known as the more thoughtful of the mass sports, with writers waxing eloquent about its balletic grace, its convoluted rules, its strategies, and its lack of a time clock. The many colorful figures who have played and coached the game, and announcers such as Dizzy Dean, who made famous the word slud, only add to the mix.

Readers will enjoy the scope of this dictionary, a revised edition of The Dickson Baseball Dictionary (Facts On File, 1989). It is intended to represent the "words, phrases, and slang expressions that define the game." There are definitions not only for designated hitter, ground ball, and unassisted triple play but also for Black Sox, Cactus League, and Lou Gehrig's disease. No term has been included unless the author could collect at least two examples of its use. He identifies which terms are archaic, uses cross-references, and points out parts of speech. First use, etymology, a note on usage, and extended use in the language of everyday life may be given, along with pungent quotations. Besides the language of baseball, the book covers the lingo of its poor relation, softball. Dickson obviously knows his subject, but he could have used the services of an editor who is also a fan. Occasionally players are misnamed (Gary Maddux for Greg Maddux of the Atlanta Braves).

The book includes a brief thesaurus, a list of baseball abbreviations, and a partially annotated bibliography of works on baseball terminology, all of which add to its reference value. Illustrations consist of photographs and drawings from the game's storied past.

The Baseball Encyclopedia (10th ed., Macmillan, 1996) provides a record of player, team, and league statistics; and The Cultural Encyclopedia of Baseball [RBB D 15 97] covers the customs, folklore, and social significance of the sport. Dickson's focus on language is unique. As the author of several other books on baseball, and some others on words, he has shown himself to be one of the better sports lexicographers in terms of clarity of definitions and currency. The result of his efforts is an engrossing, highly readable reference book that could well become a standard in the public library.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 608 pages
• Publisher: Harcourt (January 25, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0151003807
• ISBN-13: 978-0151003808
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.9 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,526,754 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must have for the serious baseball fan!, December 17, 1999

By	Michael J Woznicki "Michael J Woznicki" (Holland, MA USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

In baseball, what is a crackerjack? A cradle? A drawing Card? Feel the apple means what? What happens when you go to the pump? Who made up Murderers' Row? Open the New Dickson Baseball Dictionary and you'll find out.

This A to Z complete listing of baseball term is about the best book on the subject there is. Paul Dickson has put together over 570 pages of facts, terms, definitions and trivia that are sure to please every baseball fan.

Filled with over 100 photos and illustrations you are sure to find just about every baseball word you can think of. Also included are a thesaurus, a section of abbreviations and a fully annotated bibliography.

The baseball purest is sure to love this book as a gift, and it is priced to meet most budgets. Overall this book is great reading and makes the perfect handy reference book!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Any Real Fan Must Have This Book, April 26, 1999

By	Stephen B. Wells (CT) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Mr. Dickson has once again given every true baseball fan a "must have" book for his or her library. This marvelous compendium of baseball lore is a compelling read, filled with marvelous information of every kind. Whether you are the casual fan or the knowledgeable afficiando, Dickson has compiled a book which will satisfy you for hours as you follow one cross reference to another.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a must for all baseball fans, April 13, 1999

By	"taboreb" (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The New Dickson Baseball Dictionary (Paperback)

This is an encyclopedic book. It covers everything. Fans will appreciate its breadth and depth and it can turn the curious spectator into a true fan. Great to have on hand during a game to follow the announcers' comments.