Eric Partridge

Janet Whitcut

Usage and Abusage (Penguin Reference Books)

Dictionary of the Underworld

Partridge's classic guidelines for writing standard English and explanations of usage differences are updated for the nineties with articles on sexism and vogue words

A Guide to Good English

Usage and Abusage

Gives the origins of some 20,000 items from modern English vocabulary, discussing them in groups that make clear the connections between words derived by a variety of routes from originally common stock. It is a fascinating book to browse through, since every page points out links with other entries. It is easy to pursue such trails as the longer articles are written as continuous prose clearly divided up into numbered paragraphs and subheadings, and there is a careful system of cross-references. In addition to the main A-Z listing, there are extensive lists of prefixes, suffixes, and elements used in the creation of new vocabulary. Partridge was the author of some three dozen books, mainly on aspects of the English language. Of them all he regarded Origins as his greatest achievement.--From publisher description.

An Etymological Dictionary of Modern English

Origins

This etymological dictionary gives the origins of some 20,000 items from the modern English vocabulary, discussing them in groups that make clear the connections between words derived by a variety of routes from originally common stock. As well as giving the answers to questions about the derivation of individual words, it is a fascinating book to browse through, and includes extensive lists of prefixes, suffixes, and elements used in the creation of new vocabulary.

A Short Etymological Dictionary of Modern English

Proper Names that Have Become Common Property; a Discursive Dictionary. With a Foreword

Name Into Word

On t.p.: Colloquialisms and catchphrases, solecisms and catachreses, nicknames, and vulgarisms.

Colloquialisms and Catch-phrases, Solecisms and Catachreses, Nicknames, and Vulgarisms

A Dictionary of Slang and Unconventional English

Thoughts Upon Books: Love: Life

Journey to the Edge of Morning

Essays on Language in General and Particular Words

Words at War, Words at Peace

First published in 1933 (this edition in 1939), this book sees Partridge introducing the reader to the eccentric lexicographers Wesley and Captain Grose. In an entertaining way, the book jovially explores and discusses various words and phrases such as "bloody", euphemisms, the Devil’s nicknames, various versions of slang, and familiar terms of address. He does so with light-worn learning making the book of interest to a whole variety of readers.

Words, Words Words!

Proper Names that Have Become Common Property; a Discursive Dictionary

Colloquialisms and Catch-phrases, Solecisms and Catachreses, Nicknames, Vulgarisms, and Such Americanisms as Have Been Naturalized

A Dictionary of Slang and Unconventional English: The dictionary. 5th ed. 1961

A Dictionary of Catch Phrases, British and American, from the Sixteenth Century to the Present Day

Colloquialisms and Catch-phrases, Solecisms and Catachreses, Nicknames, Vulgarisms and Such Americanisms as Have Been Naturalized

Drop your visiting cards, put aside your beer-lever, stop being a half-pint hero and discover the gloriously funny slang which was part of everyday life in two world wars. Passion-killers: Airwomen's service knickers, whether twilights (the lighter, summer-weight variety) or black-outs (the navy-blue winter-weights). A wise directive has purposely made them as unromantic in colour and in design as a wise directive could imagine. Thanks to the work of Eric Partridge in 1945, the hilarious slang of the Royal Air Force during the first two World Wars has been preserved for generations to come. While some phrases like 'chocks away!' have lasted to this day, others deserve to be rediscovered... Beer-lever: From pub-bars, meaning the 'Joystick' of an aircraft. Canteen cowboy: A ladies' man. Half-pint hero: A boaster. One who exemplifies the virtue of Dutch courage without having the trouble of going into action. Tin fish: A torpedo. Umbrella man: A parachutist. Visiting-card: A bomb. Wheels down: Get ready - especially to leave a bus, tram, train. From lowering the wheels, preparatory to landing. Whistled: In a state of intoxication wherein one tends to whistle cheerfully and perhaps discordantly. The Dictionary of RAF Slang is a funny and fascinating insight into the lives of our RAF heroes, in a time gone by.

A Dictionary of RAF Slang

Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.

Slang To-Day and Yesterday

The French Romantics' Knowledge of English Literature (1820-1848)

Jacqueline Simpson

Drawn from the Dictionary of Slang and Unconventional English, with the emphasis on the expressions used or coined before 1914.

Eric Partridge

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