Dictionary of Smoky Mountain English (Hardcover)

~ Michael B. Montgomery (Author), Joseph S. Hall (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The first comprehensive work for the region, the Dictionary of Smoky Mountain English records the distinctive and characteristic speech ways of southern Appalachia, focusing primarily on the Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee and western North Carolina. Includes more than six thousand names, usages, meanings, and folk expressions.

From the Publisher

"Almost one hundred years ago Sir William Craigie, one of the original editors of the Oxford English Dictionary, observed that the OED should be supplemented by smaller regional and period dictionaries which would investigate particular varieties of English in much closer detail than was possible in the big OED. Since that time a tradition has grown up of such dictionaries, and The Dictionary of Smoky Mountain English is a worthy addition to this stable. Regional varieties of English are not quaint; they record the life and culture of a community which happens not to be mainstream. What is important to the people of the Smoky Mountains? Look at their characteristic vocabulary: the church, local industries, farming, birds, animals, each other. And these aspects of life are carefully documented here as a fascinating insight into the world of the Smoky Mountains. No dictionary should be without ‘cater-corner’ or ‘charivari’, and (I’m starting to be convinced) ‘cumfluttered’ or ‘from can see to can’t see’ (dawn to dusk). Not every culture needs an expression for ‘a designated person in a mountain community who kept boards ready to construct a coffin at short notice, because burial usually took place the day following death’, but some do, and maybe it will prove useful to the producers of HBO’s Six Feet Under! Take a look, and see how lexicography uncovers a way of life which may not be with us for too long." —John Simpson, Chief Editor, Oxford English Dictionary

"A magnificent dictionary, Smoky Mountain English comes alive in its pages. Montgomery uses the collections of the late Joseph Sargent Hall, begun in 1937–41, and his own archival and personal observations to create "a record of living speech." All who love Smokies English in fact or fiction will find this great work a delightful account of one of America’s most fabulous dialects." —Richard W. Bailey, Fred Newton Scott Collegiate Professor of English, The University of Michigan

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 600 pages
• Publisher: University of Tennessee Press (March 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1572332220
• ISBN-13: 978-1572332225
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 8.9 x 1.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,504,544 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rare information available in book form, August 1, 2008

By	Silverwolfwhisper "Silverwolfwhisper" (Farragut, Tn USA) - See all my reviews

Being from the South, it is amazing to see many of the words and phrases long forgotten by most in print. Wonderful book - Can recommend it to all who love the South.