Dictionary of American Slang

The Dictionary of American Slang represents a comprehensive collection of informal American English vocabulary and expressions from the mid-20th century. This reference work captures the vernacular language used across different regions, social groups, and time periods in American culture. The dictionary includes detailed etymologies and usage notes for thousands of slang terms, tracking their origins and evolution through American history. Each entry provides pronunciation guidance, definitions, example sentences, and information about the social context in which terms emerged and were commonly used. Flexner and Wentworth draw from extensive research of written sources including newspapers, magazines, and literature, as well as documented spoken language from various American subcultures and communities. The work encompasses criminal argot, military slang, youth vocabulary, regional expressions, and language innovations from entertainment and popular culture. This dictionary stands as both a linguistic record and a window into the social history of America, revealing how language reflects cultural shifts, group identities, and changing attitudes over time. The informal vocabulary choices of different eras offer insights into the preoccupations, values, and daily lives of Americans across decades.

Readers value this dictionary as a historical record of American slang expressions, particularly from the early-to-mid 20th century. Many readers noted its academic rigor and etymology details. Likes: - Detailed origins and first known uses of terms - Example sentences showing slang in context - Coverage of regional expressions - Historical slang from WWII era Dislikes: - Outdated - doesn't cover modern slang - Some entries use offensive/dated racial terms - Index could be more comprehensive - Paper quality in newer editions declined Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (32 ratings) Amazon: 3.7/5 (12 ratings) Notable reader comment: "An invaluable resource for understanding mid-century American language, though showing its age. The examples from literature and media bring the definitions to life." - Goodreads reviewer Several readers mentioned using it for research and writing projects set in 20th century America.

The Oxford Dictionary of Modern Slang by John Ayto, John Simpson This reference work traces the etymology and evolution of informal English expressions from 1945 through today.

Cassell's Dictionary of Slang by Jonathon Green The volume contains 85,000 slang words and expressions from English-speaking regions across multiple centuries.

NTC's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions by Richard A. Spears This reference documents 8,500 contemporary American slang terms with usage examples and origin information.

American Slang: Cultural Language Guide to Living in the USA by Elizabeth Claire The guide presents slang expressions through contextual situations and cultural explanations for language learners.

Random House Historical Dictionary of American Slang by J.E. Lighter This scholarly work provides detailed historical documentation of American slang from colonial times through the late 20th century.

🔖 When first published in 1960, this dictionary became one of the first comprehensive attempts to document informal American speech patterns and colloquialisms in a scholarly way. 📚 Stuart Berg Flexner spent over 15 years collecting slang terms by attending movies, listening to radio shows, and conducting interviews with people from various walks of life. 🗣️ The dictionary includes detailed etymologies that trace many common slang words back to their origins in specific subcultures, such as jazz musicians, carnival workers, and criminals. 📖 The book sparked controversy upon release due to its inclusion of taboo words and sexual terminology, which was unusual for academic publications of that era. 🎭 Harold Wentworth, co-author of the dictionary, was particularly known for his expertise in college slang, having previously published "American College Slang" (1944), which heavily influenced this larger work.