Green's Dictionary of Slang

Green's Dictionary of Slang is a comprehensive reference work documenting the history and usage of English-language slang from the past 500 years. The three-volume dictionary contains over 110,000 entries supported by 410,000 citations and examples. The dictionary traces slang terms from their earliest recorded appearances through their evolution and changing meanings over time. Each entry provides detailed etymological information, historical context, and real-world examples drawn from literature, newspapers, court records, and popular media. The scope encompasses criminal cant, military slang, nautical jargon, street talk, and the informal language of various subcultures across the English-speaking world. The work represents over 17 years of research and compilation by lexicographer Jonathon Green. This landmark reference work reveals how slang functions as a mirror of society, reflecting the preoccupations, attitudes, and social changes of each era through its informal vocabulary. The dictionary stands as a crucial resource for understanding the development of non-standard English and the cultural forces that shape vernacular language.

Readers value this dictionary as a comprehensive reference of English-language slang, citing its extensive citations and historical examples dating back centuries. Multiple reviewers highlight how each entry traces the evolution of slang terms through documented usage. Readers liked: - Detailed etymology and chronological examples for each term - Coverage of British, American, and international slang - Inclusion of historical context and cultural background - Cross-referencing between related terms Common criticisms: - High price point (especially print edition) - Physical size makes it unwieldy - Digital version has technical issues and poor search functionality - Some entries lack recent contemporary usage Ratings: Goodreads: 4.5/5 (12 ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (31 ratings) "A linguistic treasure trove" - reader review on Amazon "Worth every penny for serious language researchers" - Goodreads reviewer "The search function needs work" - Digital edition review

A Dictionary of Slang and Unconventional English by Eric Partridge The predecessor to Green's work documents English slang from 1750-1950 with historical citations and etymological research.

Dictionary of American Slang by Stuart Berg Flexner, Harold Wentworth This reference traces the development of informal American English through its social and cultural contexts.

The F-Word by Jesse Sheidlower This lexicon follows the evolution of one taboo word through centuries of usage with detailed citations from literature and popular culture.

Cassell's Dictionary of Slang by Tom Dalzell The compilation contains over 85,000 entries covering British and American slang from the past 400 years.

The Oxford Dictionary of Modern Slang by John Ayto, John Simpson This volume maps the development of informal English vocabulary from 1900 onward with etymological information and example quotations.

🔎 The dictionary contains over 110,000 words and phrases from more than 500 years of slang usage 📚 Jonathon Green spent 17 years researching and writing this comprehensive three-volume work 🗣️ The dictionary traces many common phrases back to surprising origins, such as "cool" being first recorded in African American jazz circles in the 1930s 📖 At 6,200 pages long, it is considered the most comprehensive documentation of English language slang ever compiled 🌍 The collection includes slang from multiple English-speaking countries and features over 550,000 citations and usage examples