Stone the Crows

More about the book

Slang is vibrant, humorous, and often brash language that spices up everyday speech. In the second edition of The Oxford Dictionary of Modern Slang, John Ayto and John Simpson present over 6,000 slang terms sourced from the extensive Oxford English Dictionary database. The dictionary is organized thematically, with words listed chronologically within each section, showcasing the evolution of slang over the past century. Each entry includes the headword, part of speech, and definition, along with illustrative examples from notable writers like John Updike, John Lennon, and Woody Allen. Many entries feature labels indicating the social group or discipline of origin—such as theatrical, military, or nautical—and the geographical source of the term. When applicable, multiple meanings of a word are presented chronologically. The collection encompasses slang from across the English-speaking world, including contributions from Australia and the UK. Additionally, a comprehensive thematic index allows users to explore specific topics, such as the body or food and drink, alongside a complete index of all terms for quick reference. This colorful and informative resource offers a rich portrait of slang's development over the last century.