Oxford Dictionary of Slang - Hardcover

Ayto, John

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 019863157X ISBN 13: 9780198631576

Publisher: Oxford University Press, 1999

Synopsis

This dictionary provides an authority on modern slang, with over 10,000 words and phrases researched. Unlike other slang dictionaries which tend to be A-Z organized, this dictionary is thematically arranged so the reader can find out about the language of a particular area of activity in which the reader is interested. Taking in turn each area of life and each aspect of the world that generates significant amounts of slang, it plots the development of language over time, recording the arrival of each new item on the scene, starting with the earliest of the century and coming through to the present day. An A-Z index at the back of the book ensures that if the reader has a specific word in mind he/she can find it straight away even if he/she is not sure under which thematic category it is listed.

About this title

Review

If your other reference books aren't funky enough for you, get a smattering of unorthodoxy with the Oxford Dictionary of Slang. This comprehensive look at informal English from around the world and across the centuries is organised thesaurus-style into sections for easy browsing by category. Look up underground terminology for drugs and sex and you'll be browsing for a month of Sundays. Of course, if you need to get the skinny on a particular term but have no idea what it could mean, there's an alphabetical index that'll take you right where you need to go. Each word or phrase is thoroughly documented, as you'd expect from an Oxford dictionary; its first print sighting, place of use, meanings and cross-contextual references are included, as well as illuminating usage quotes. The Dictionary is easy to use and the definitions are concise--you can get the information you need quickly with time left to linger over related terms. More than 10,000 entries yield plenty of insight into commonly used but still not quite kosher parts of our language. When your New Zealander buddy refers to someone as a cow-spanker, you won't have to wonder for long just who you're dealing with (don't worry, she's a dairy farmer); the Oxford Dictionary of Slang will give you the moxie to deal with a discombobulated world. --Rob Lightner

About the Author

John Ayto is a professional lexicographer and author. His previous publications include The Oxford Dictionary of Modern Slang, The Oxford Diner's Dictionary, and A Gourmet's Guide: Food & Drink from A-Z. He lives in London.

Edition details

• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Publication date: 1999
• ISBN 10: 019863157X
• ISBN 13: 9780198631576
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 576