Grant Barrett spends his life immersed in colloquial language and slang, since his day job is as the project editor for Oxford’s Historical Dictionary of American Slang, a work that everybody with an interest in such matters is waiting for with ill-disguised impatience. This book, however, is firmly an extramural activity, though his professional background results in a work created on the best principles of historical lexicography, with terms researched and defined, discussed and illustrated by a set of citations.

More than 750 brand-new words that make "bling-bling" sound so five minutes ago For readers who want to be on the cutting edge of the English lexicon or for dedicated word geeks,The Official Dictionary of Unofficial Englishpresents more than 750 words that have unofficially joined the English language. These words are hot off the street, new even to cyberspace, and definitely not found inWebster's. Each entry features a definition, etymology, and at least three citations from print and the Internet that show the evolution of its meaning. Entries include: Bangalored (adj.)having been relocated to India; having lost business or employment due to such a relocation. Paleoconservative (n.)a holder of outdated or old-fashioned conservative beliefs. Barbecue Stopper (n.)a topic of constant and widespread conversation, especially a divisive political or social issue.