Review by Choice Review
The third edition of this resource provides some 3,500 new entries, bringing the total number of words and phrases to more than 12,500. The inclusion of up-to-date slang and a sampling of English terms that did not originate in either the US or UK make this edition more diverse and reflect the worldwide spread of English and its hospitality to loan words. The entries themselves are clearly printed and highly readable, outlining the first use of the term, where known, and various definitions or explanations of its use. Hendrickson selects a wide range of terms including place names, people, historical phrases, literary figures, objects, and animals, and cites a variety of authoritative sources such as John Bartlett's Dictionary of Americanisms (1848- ; frequently reprinted, numerous later editions) and the Oxford English Dictionary. Hendrickson supplies numerous details for each term, using a supple narrative style. Linguists, historians, and word connoisseurs will appreciate this resource, and it will add value to any collection supporting language studies. ^BSumming Up: Highly recommended. All collections. M. D. Collins Mississippi State University
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Booklist Review
This is a unique dictionary that focuses on the origins of words and expressions in North American English not usually addressed in standard dictionaries. The definitions are filled with humor, when appropriate, as well as colorful examples. The new edition contains more than 15,000 entries up from 12,500 in the third (2003) edition arranged in two columns per page. Users will learn how expressions such as blog, easy as taking candy from a baby, Spanglish, State of the Union message, and X rated came into use. Explanations range from a few short sentences to several paragraph and include the history of the word or phrase, how it is used, and who may have originated it. Terms range from the very current IED to those that are not much heard in contemporary times (mackintosh, for example) to the almost overused political correctness. There are entries for words derived from other languages, coined words, words from the names of people and places, and more. An index at the back of the book is especially useful for identifying terms attributed to particular people. Not only practical but entertaining as well, this work would complement any standard dictionary. It would prove useful in most libraries particularly public and undergraduate libraries. Teacher-librarians will want to note that it includes entries for four-letter swear words as well as many colorful variations, epithets, and phrases using swear words and their origins.--Tomchyshyn, Terri Copyright 2009 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Library Journal Review
An expansion of Hendrickson's (Dictionary of American Regionalisms) third edition, published in 2003, this updated version remains the most comprehensive compendium of word and phrase origins available. Now including 15,000 alphabetically organized, fully cross-referenced terms and idioms, this resource features cleverly written, paragraph-long entries filled with fascinating detail on the sociological evolution of colloquial expressions, proverbs, flora- and fauna-related terms, geographical and historical expressions, nicknames, and foreign words. Because the entries have both scholarly value and the capacity to entertain, the book is ideal for both linguists and lay readers. Recommended for English collections and public libraries. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 9 Up-This volume features more than 15,000 quirky words and expressions (2500 of them added since the 2004 edition) from the English/American vernacular. The text, arranged alphabetically, covers a broad range of slang terms, acronyms, coined phrases, literary references, and other dialectical gems. Written in an often-humorous tone, the brief entries consist of etymology and examples of usage culled from sources such as Shakespearean plays, films, or famous declarations. Terms range from classical nicknames (Heraclitus's "The Weeping Philosopher") to pop-culture references (the Seinfeld-ism "man hands"). Foreign expressions such as the British-born "do the needful" and the timely Iraqi "I throw a shoe at you!" are explained. Cross-references are provided, and the index includes listings of phrases and the subjects who uttered them. As the preface states, "No word or phrase has been eliminated because it might offend someone's sensibilities." Hendrickson admits that some origins presented are mere theories. Moreover, the lack of a pronunciation guide and the volume's anecdotal approach undermine its academic value. Still, the author provides an entertaining, informative look at the diversity of influences on the English language. Readers will find plenty to pique their interest in this strong secondary source.-Christina Connolly, Clark University, Worcester, MA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Choice Review
Review by Booklist Review
Review by Library Journal Review
Review by School Library Journal Review
