The Slang of Sin - Hardcover

Dalzell, Tom

3.96

49 ratings by Goodreads

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0877793565 ISBN 13: 9780877793564

Publisher: Merriam Webster, 1998

View all copies of this ISBN edition:

Offers a diverting plunge into the rich and varied slang surrounding sin and vice. Not just a dictionary, this entertaining reference gives extended word histories and humorous commentary on words, phrases, and their cultural and historical contexts. If chapters on alcohol, gambling, drugs, horse racing, sex, deadly sins, and crime put evil ideas in your head, read the final chapter on the wages of sin. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.

From the Publisher:

Tom Dalzell artfully explores the vocabulary of vice
Take a walk on the wild side of language through the rich and varied slang surrounding sin and vice. This is a realm of irony, imagery, and endless imagination brought to light by slangmeister Tom Dalzell. His personal commentary and thorough research deliver new insights into how we talk about the subjects we aren't supposed to talk about, such as sex, drugs, drinking, and gambling. The slang of sinners - from gamblers to drinkers, dice throwers to porn kings, and everyone in between - offers a glimpse of our culture that will enlighten and amuse you for hours of enjoyable reading.

From the Author:

Vice and sin excite linguistic creativity, captured here.
From America's pool halls, tattoo parlors, pinball aracades, bars, strip shows, and other dens of vice I have gathered the amazingly creative and vibrant slang of sin. When we break society's rules, we lose our linguistic inhibitions as well; we coin and use a fresh and witty slang. No matter how dehabilitating the vice, there is a glimmer of humanity in the language. Chapters include alcohol, gambling, drugs, horse racing, sex, the seven deadly sins, and the wages of sin.

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.