Dictionary of Slang and Unconventional English: Colloquialisms, and Catch-Phrases, Solecisms and Catachresis, Nicknames, and Vulgarisms

Wonderful piece of work, a standard in its field, but a time thief: bet you can't look up just one ...

This is an excellent reference work for readers of colloquial English. It would be perfect for books like Captains Courageous or The Yearling. The author provides a lexicographical foundation. Common phrases are: - to jigget (fidget) - chalk a talk is a teacher - saucy jack is an important fellow The acqusition is well worth the price for professional proofreaders, writers, editors and readers of literature.

Both informative and fun to read, the Dictionary contains both definitions and word history for ALL levels of colloquial English. Unlike other dictionaries of the sort, it includes even words that were colloquial or slang once. Before I read it I didn't realise that history of words could be so entertaining. E. Partridge has presented a hoard of entertaining information in an entertaining way. Even if you know all the English there is to know, the Dictionary is full of word stories you might still like to read. Do you know how the organ representing human courage over the centuries went all the way from heart to pluck, down to guts and below? I haven't checked the facts for a few years, but it still may be the largest collection of slang and colloquial terms for ANY slanguage