XPost: alt.usage.english, alt.slang
On 5/23/2024 4:57 AM, Ross Clark wrote:
"It might seem unusual to devote a day to a rave review of a book, but
this was a very unusual book, and nobody -- least of all the author --
had expected it."
Nice quote from the review, by Dilworth Faber (who?):
"The lost words of the language have finally come to roost.
The unmentionables are mentioned."
Emphasis is on the fact that Partridge included all the "indecent"
words, fully spelled out -- still illegal at that time under British obscenity laws.
"Dilworth Faber...was himself planning a dictionary of American slang."
It was never finished. Julie Coleman's history of slang dictionaries
mentions that he was encouraged in this project by William Craigie, the
OED editor who went to Chicago.
No more than scraps about him online:
1909-1976?
poet
in the early 30s he was working on a "comprehensive history of Negro
Art"...
Ah well. Eric Partridge is much better documented and perhaps as
interesting:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Partridge
"From 1923, he "found a second home", occupying the same desk (K1) in
the British Museum Library (as it was then known) for the next fifty
years."
The direct ancestor of Green's Dictionary is Eric Partridge's Dictionary of Slang and Unconventional English (1937–84).
This work likely inspired Green to create his own dictionary.
Yes, Green's Dictionary of Slang is generally
considered a well-respected and comprehensive resource for understanding
slang terms. Here's a breakdown of its reputation:
Strengths:
Author's Expertise: Jonathon Green, the author, is a scholar who
has dedicated decades to studying and collecting slang. His work is
recognized for its depth and meticulous research.
Comprehensiveness: Green's Dictionary is considered one of the
most comprehensive dictionaries of slang available, covering a wide
range of terms from various eras and social groups.
Accuracy: The dictionary provides detailed definitions, citations
for usage examples, and historical context for many slang terms, making
it a reliable source.
Scholarly Recognition: Green's work has been cited by linguists and scholars interested in slang and language evolution.
Potential Considerations:
Focus on British Slang: While the dictionary covers some American
slang, it has a stronger focus on British slang terms. This might be a
factor depending on your specific needs.
Large Volume: The printed version is a multi-volume set, making it
quite large and potentially expensive. However, there's also an online
version available.
Here are some additional points to consider:
Alternatives: There are other reputable dictionaries of slang
available, such as the Urban Dictionary or the Online Slang Dictionary.
However, these resources might not have the same level of academic rigor
as Green's Dictionary.
--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
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