From the homegrown "boodle" of the 19th century to current "misunderstandistan" in the Middle East, America's foremost expert on slang reveals military lingo at its most colorful, innovative, brutal, and ironic. Author Paul Dickson introduces some of the "new words and phrases born of conflict, bored... read more
Our Editors also recommend:
Damn the Man!: Slang of the Oppressed in America by Tom Dalzell Original hardcover publication conducts a fascinating exploration of the role of language in the culture of resistance. Hundreds of colorful examples include slang from communities of African Americans, immigrants, gay men, military, prisoners, and more.
Flappers 2 Rappers: American Youth Slang by Tom Dalzell Entertaining, highly readable book pulses with the vernacular of young Americans from the end of the 19th century to the present. Alphabetical listings for each decade, plus fascinating sidebars about language and culture.
An Etymological Dictionary of the English Language by Walter W. Skeat This reference traces English words back to their Indo-European roots. Each entry features a brief definition, identifies the language of origin, and employs a few illustrative quotations. An extensive appendix includes prefixes, suffixes, more.
Fallacies and Pitfalls of Language: The Language Trap by S. Morris Engel Witty, thought-provoking exploration of government newspeak, exaggerated advertising claims, propaganda and other misuses of language — and how to combat them.
The Elements of Style: The Original Edition by William Strunk, Jr. This is the book that generations of writers have relied upon for timeless advice on grammar, diction, syntax, and other essentials. In concise terms, it identifies the principal requirements of proper style and common errors.
Language: An Introduction to the Study of Speech by Edward Sapir This book asks and answers fundamental questions about how language works, its regional variations, and its cultural and historical roles. The author relates linguistic issues to a broad spectrum of other areas.
Write It Right: A Little Blacklist of Literary Faults by Ambrose Bierce, Paul Dickson Amusing A-to-Z compendium by a celebrated literary wit outlines common gaffes. Times and usages have changed, rendering this 1909 volume a fascinating historical curiosity rather than a guide for modern writers.
On the Art of Writing by Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch A renowned critic and scholar addresses the artistic and vital nature of language as well as the skills needed to convey and receive the written word. Features principles and practical guidelines for aspiring writers.
Respectfully Quoted: A Dictionary of Quotations by James H. Billington, Library of Congress A treasury of thought-provoking declarations and observations features a splendid variety of political, scientific, social, and literary voices. Quoted historical figures include Paine, Milton, Emerson, Marx, Napoleon, Dickens, and Churchill.
Mark Twain at Your Fingertips: A Book of Quotations by Mark Twain, Caroline Thomas Harnsberger Gathered from Twain's classic novels, diary entries, newspaper articles, and correspondence, this collection of wry quips and quotes offers the great humorist and storyteller's observations on animals, critics, politics, youth, and more.
Great Writers on the Art of Fiction: From Mark Twain to Joyce Carol Oates by James Daley An indispensable source of advice and inspiration, this anthology features essays by Henry James, Kate Chopin, Willa Cather, Sinclair Lewis, Jack London, Raymond Chandler, Raymond Carver, Eudora Welty, and Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.
Shakespeare Lexicon and Quotation Dictionary, Vol. 1 by Alexander Schmidt Volume 1 of massive work by a leading Shakespeare scholar and lexicographer, a standard in the field, provides full definitions, locations, and shades of meaning in every word in Shakespeare's plays and poems.
Shakespeare Lexicon and Quotation Dictionary, Vol. 2 by Alexander Schmidt Volume 2 of massive work by a leading Shakespeare scholar and lexicographer, a standard in the field, provides full definitions, locations, and shades of meaning in every word in Shakespeare's plays and poems.
Book of African-American Quotations by Joslyn Pine This original collection of quotations cites approximately 100 well-known African Americans from all walks of life, including Maya Angelou, Louis Armstrong, Muhammad Ali, Julian Bond, George Washington Carver, Frederick Douglass, and Ralph Ellison.
The Book of Green Quotations by James Daley Timely and thought-provoking, this volume comprises many hundreds of quotations by presidents, scientists, activists, and other public figures on conservation, ecology, environmentalism, wilderness, global warming, pollution, nature, and other subjects.
Jewish Wit and Wisdom by Herb Galewitz Sometimes hilarious and frequently profound, this collection of aphorisms includes observations and remarks from statesmen, writers, artists, philosophers, jurists, musicians, and celebrities — from the prophets of the Old Testament to Woody Allen.
Oscar Wilde's Wit and Wisdom: A Book of Quotations by Oscar Wilde Amusing, thought-provoking epigrams, aphorisms, and other jests from the plays, essays, and lively conversation of Oscar Wilde offer a feast of humorous and profound quips. Nearly 400 quotes.
Presidential Wit and Wisdom: Memorable Quotes from George Washington to Barack Obama by Joslyn Pine This handsome gift volume abounds in memorable presidential declarations and quips. It cites all 44 chief executives, from George Washington to Barack Obama, including written and verbal comments and remarks from inside and outside the Oval Office.
Wit and Wisdom from Poor Richard's Almanack by Benjamin Franklin Hundreds of delightful aphorisms, carefully selected from many issues of Franklin's popular 18th-century publication: "He that lies down with Dogs, shall rise up with fleas" and many others.
The Wit and Wisdom of Abraham Lincoln: A Book of Quotations by Abraham Lincoln, Bob Blaisdell From the most eloquent of American presidents — nearly 400 astute observations on subjects ranging from women and warfare to slavery and storytelling.
The Wit and Wisdom of Gandhi by Mohandas Gandhi, Homer A. Jack This selection of brief and incisive quotations range from religion and theology, personal and social ethics, service, and international and political affairs, to Gandhi's most original concept, satyagraha — group nonviolent direct action.
The Wit and Wisdom of Mark Twain: A Book of Quotations by Mark Twain Includes hundreds of Twain's most memorable quips and comments on life, love, history, culture, travel, and diverse other topics, among them "He is now fast rising from affluence to poverty."
Women's Wit and Wisdom: A Book of Quotations by Susan L. Rattiner Over 400 memorable quotes from the last 2,500 years by Sappho, Queen Elizabeth I, Harriet Tubman, Susan B. Anthony, Eleanor Roosevelt, Erma Bombeck, Oprah Winfrey, and many others. A delight!
Product Description:
From the homegrown "boodle" of the 19th century to current "misunderstandistan" in the Middle East, America's foremost expert on slang reveals military lingo at its most colorful, innovative, brutal, and ironic. Author Paul Dickson introduces some of the "new words and phrases born of conflict, boredom, good humor, bad food, new technology, and the pure horror of war." This newly updated reference extends to the post-9/11 world and the American military presence in Iraq and Afghanistan. Recommended by William Safire in his "On Language" column of The New York Times, it features dictionary-style entries, arranged chronologically by conflict, with helpful introductions to each section and an index for convenient reference. "Paul Dickson is a national treasure who deserves a wide audience," declared Library Journal. The author of more than 50 books, Dickson has written extensively on language. This expanded edition of War Slang features new material by journalist Ben Lando, Iraq Bureau Chief for Iraq Oil Report and a regular contributor to The Wall Street Journal and Time. It serves language lovers and military historians alike by adding an eloquent new dimension to our understanding of war.
This book was printed in the United States of America.
Dover books are made to last a lifetime. Our US book-manufacturing partners produce the highest quality books in the world and they create jobs for our fellow citizens. Manufacturing in the United States also ensures that our books are printed in an environmentally friendly fashion, on paper sourced from responsibly managed forests.