Dictionary of American Slang, (4th ed.) A Review
Dictionary of American Slang, (4th edition, fully revised and updated) / Robert L
. Chapman and Barbara Ann Kipfer (Harper Collins, 2007) Hardcover, 592 p. ISBN 9780061176463
In 1960, Harold Wentworth and Stuart Berg Flexner issued the first edition of the Dictionary of American Slang. It has proved its worth over the last 50 years, surviving both of its first editors. This fourth edition by Robert L. Chapman and Barbara Ann Kipfer continue the tradition that those pioneers started in paying careful and scholarly attention to spoken English of the kinds no one learns in school.
Some terms come from new technologies, like all of the Internet terms that so many of us feel we should know but don't. Others come from distinctive cultural communities as varied as prison, street gangs, Valley girls, and Wall Street executives. Technical terms within a profession are intended to communicate something specific to insiders. Various kinds of street talk may be intended to hide meaning from outsiders.
Colloquialisms, technical jargon, vulgarities, advertising or political slogans, and substandard English cover a wide range of usages and communication needs. Language changes quickly, and the fourth edition includes 1,500 new terms. Some will undoubtedly fade from use, perhaps even before they have a chance to be included in a fifth edition. Others will have a long life and perhaps even come to be regarded as standard.
This edition of Dictionary of American Slang follows the example of earlier ones in providing pronunciations, information about the origin of the terms, examples of how to use them appropriately, and warnings about which ones not to use in polite company. People curious about language or counterculture will find it interesting. People confused about what they hear or read will find it very useful.
Dictionary of American Slang has been one of the most important reference works about the English language as spoken and written in America for fifty years now. The All-Purpose Guru Alert features one outstanding selection such as this one every day. Stop by often!
Dictionary of American Slang, (4th ed.) A Review
By: All-Purpose Guru
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