A New Dictionary of American Slang

More about the book

Originally published in 1960, this comprehensive dictionary is regarded as the standard in its field. The third edition has been expanded and updated to include over 19,000 terms that capture the variety and vigor of American slang, spanning from widely accepted phrases to taboo expressions. It covers all periods of American history, reflecting the language of gypsies, soldiers, railroad workers, and cowboys of the 19th century, as well as modern influences from the rock 'n' roll scene, corporate culture, and various subcultures, including African-Americans and the LGBTQ+ community. Slang, being the fastest-changing aspect of our language, is closely tied to cultural fringes and technological advancements. This edition addresses the emergence of subcultures shaped by the last decade's technological and communication developments, such as home computing and the Internet. With over 2,000 new terms, it captures the lexicon of the '90s in detail. Features include pronunciation guides, word origins, usage examples, and a highlighting system indicating which terms should be used with caution. This dictionary serves as both an important archive of American speech and an entertaining read, making it an invaluable resource for navigating today’s rapidly evolving language.