Review by Choice Review
In this new edition of Partridge's classic slang dictionary, first published in 1937, the editors have succeeded in remaining true to the Partridge tradition, observing high standards of lexicography while producing an accessible work. This two-volume set is comprehensive in its presentation of 65,000 slang words from the last 60 years--the period after WW II, a time of massive cultural changes that influenced and reshaped language. Entries are alphabetically organized, including author and source when known. In addition to being "unconventional," entries must "impart a message beyond the text and literal meaning." Selected terms are representative of the English-speaking world; Pidgin, Creolized English, and borrowed foreign terms also appear, as well as colloquialisms, acronyms, initialisms, vulgarisms, and catchphrases. Offensive words and those considered slurs are available, but nicknames have been minimized and geographic areas broadened. Numeric slang and a bibliography conclude volume 2. Maintaining the integrity of the former editions and adding new words representative of the 20th and 21st centuries, this dictionary will be useful to a wide range of readers. ^BSumming Up: Recommended. All levels. M. Cochran University of California, Berkeley
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Library Journal Review
Right in line with the wild and witty stylings of this reference work are the varied titles held by its two editors: lawyer, writer, actor, theater founder, and cabaret joke teller. Senior editor Dalzell also authored two previous books on the subject: Flappers 2 Rappers: American Youth Slang and The Slang of Sin, both showcased selections in the BOMC. The goal here was to provide comprehensive coverage of slang in English-speaking communities throughout the world. To this end, the editors have succeeded in widening the primarily British tendencies of the original work developed by Eric Partridge (A Dictionary of Slang and Unconventional English, 1937; the latest edition appeared in 1985) to include nearly equal representations of U.S. and British slang. Approximately one-third of the 60,000 entries have been allotted to English-speaking countries outside the United States and United Kingdom, extending across such varied regions as India, South Africa, Canada, Australia, and the Caribbean. The editors made a conscious choice to limit entries to those used most frequently after 1945, so purchasing libraries should retain a few slang titles representative of older, more historical interests. The usefulness of this text extends beyond modern interpretation interests, however, which is readily apparent upon close examination of the entries. Country of origin is indicated where relevant, for instance. Only sources cited five or more times are included in the extensive bibliography, which ranges from print reference to big-screen media examples, with plenty of details for locating primary sources or indicating extent of usage. Bottom Line Cross references within entries are somewhat limited compared with other sources, such as the comparatively welterweight Random House Historical Dictionary of American Slang (1994), but its length allows for several instances of slang that are not yet included in the several good "slanguage" resources available today. Not for the small or spatially challenged, but large public and academic libraries shouldn't shy away.-Traci Avet, Belle Glade Lib., FL (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by School Library Journal Review
Right in line with the wild and witty stylings of this reference work are the varied titles held by its two editors: lawyer, writer, actor, theater founder, and cabaret joke teller. Senior editor Dalzell also authored two previous books on the subject: Flappers 2 Rappers: American Youth Slang and The Slang of Sin, both showcased selections in the BOMC. The goal here was to provide comprehensive coverage of slang in English-speaking communities throughout the world. To this end, the editors have succeeded in widening the primarily British tendencies of the original work developed by Eric Partridge (A Dictionary of Slang and Unconventional English, 1937; the latest edition appeared in 1985) to include nearly equal representations of U.S. and British slang. Approximately one-third of the 60,000 entries have been allotted to English-speaking countries outside the United States and United Kingdom, extending across such varied regions as India, South Africa, Canada, Australia, and the Caribbean.The editors made a conscious choice to limit entries to those used most frequently after 1945, so purchasing libraries should retain a few slang titles representative of older, more historical interests. The usefulness of this text extends beyond modern interpretation interests, however, which is readily apparent upon close examination of the entries. Country of origin is indicated where relevant, for instance. Only sources cited five or more times are included in the extensive bibliography, which ranges from print reference to big-screen media examples, with plenty of details for locating primary sources or indicating extent of usage. Bottom Line Cross references within entries are somewhat limited compared with other sources, such as the comparatively welterweight Random House Historical Dictionary of American Slang (1994), but its length allows for several instances of slang that are not yet included in the several good slanguage resources available today. Not for the small or spatially challenged, but large public and academic libraries shouldn't shy away.--Traci Avet, Belle Glade Lib., FL (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
