Slangalicious: Where We Got that Crazy Lingo - Hardcover

O'Reilly, Gillian

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1550377655 ISBN 13: 9781550377651

Publisher: Annick Press, 2004

Synopsis

Dig the skinny on the whole slang thang.

When a school assignment on slang leads to internet research, an astonishing thing happens. Two peculiar characters begin walking across the screen to help out with the homework problem. Meet Lexie and Edmund, the slang experts.

These wise guys begin with a rundown of the types of slang, and a look-see at how slang goes way back. In fact, many slang words once seen as coarse and low class are now an official part of our language.

In the chapters that follow, Lexie and Edmund explore slang terms under different categories, including food (Care for moo juice in your cup of joe?), sports (Who's the bush league southpaw in the bull pen?), and popular culture (Dig that wimp on the boob tube!). They even demonstrate how slang spills over from one meaning to another: take the term double-header. Originally coined by railroad workers to refer to a train pulled by two engines, today it's slang for back-to-back baseball games. Other slang like cool and hip originate in the musical stylings of jazz and bebop.

In all, Lexie and Edmund explore over 500 slang words and phrases. With playful writing and funky illustrations, Slangalicious is a lingo tango that brings language to life.

About this title

From the Author

When I set out to write about slang, I decided a straight dictionary format would leave out all sorts of interesting detail about the history of slang. However, a straight history would be too academic for young readers. The topic seemed to demand something more lively and immediate.

Because the process of writing a book can sometimes feel like a very big school essay, I imagined a kid trying to do a project on slang for school. This way, readers could discover the topic through the eyes of someone their own age. As well, this format allowed me to have lots of fun with dialogue, amusing slang expressions and a plot that included interfering parents, a slobby older brother and two mysterious but enthusiastic slang experts.

About the Author

Gillian O'Reilly is a supercool freelance writer and children's literature magazine editor who lives in Toronto. This is her first book for children.

Krista Johnson, the groovy cat who did the illustrations, is an accomplished illustrator. Slangalicious is her children's book debut.

About this edition

• Publisher: Annick Press
• Publication date: 2004
• ISBN 10: 1550377655
• ISBN 13: 9781550377651
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 88
• Illustrator: Johnson Krista