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Flappers 2 Rappers: American Youth Slang (Paperback)

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5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)

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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: 256 pages
Publisher: Merriam-Webster; 1 edition (October 1996)
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.com Sales Rank: #1,059,859 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Look Inside This Book

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Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Back Cover

Citations (learn more)

3 books cite this book:

Berkeley High School Slang Dictionary by Rick Ayers in Front Matter
Verbatim: From the bawdy to the sublime, the best writing on language for word lovers, grammar mavens, and armchair linguists by Erin McKean in Back Matter
The Cambridge History of the English Language, Vol. 6: English in North America (Volume 6) by John Algeo in Back Matter

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	95% buy the item featured on this page: Flappers 2 Rappers: American Youth Slang 5.0 out of 5 stars (5)
	3% buy Dewdroppers, Waldos, and Slackers: A Decade-by-Decade Guide to the Vanishing Vocabulary of the Twentieth Century 4.8 out of 5 stars (4) $24.99
	2% buy Street Talk: Da Official Guide to Hip-Hop & Urban Slanguage (Dictionary) 4.8 out of 5 stars (4)

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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	DAMullane1@csupomona.edu (Pomona, California, U.S.A.) - See all my reviews

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.

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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 (Vashon, WA USA) - See all my reviews

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.

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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 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!

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Stuff
This book is excellent! Especially good for historical role-players who want to keep it authentic. BTW, did you know the word "Homie" dates back to the '40's?

Published on February 14, 2004 by Simon Wentworth

5.0 out of 5 stars I Couldn't Write Without This Book
As an author with my debut novel in its initial release, I freely admit the debt I owe to Tom Dalzell's FLAPPERS 2 RAPPERS. Read more

Published on September 9, 2001 by Kent Braithwaite

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