A Dictionary of the Underworld: British and American

By Eric Partridge

Book Overview

Originally published: New York: The Macmillan Company, 1950. xv, 804 pp. Reprint of the second edition. Thoroughly engrossing, A Dictionary of the Underworld offers definitions for such obscure terms and phrases as "witch-hazel man" (heroin addict), "eason" (to tell) and "budge a beak" (run away). "Once in about every generation a book is published which dominates its field. Such a book is Partridge's Dictionary of the Underworld, which is not only the first extensive work on the underworld to appear in the twentieth century, but also the largest in the English language. (...) It is truly a monumental work, so monumental that scholars may well be disturbed by its aura of substantiality, for it will undoubtedly be cited and quoted or years to come." --David W. Maurer, American Speech, Vol. 26, No. 1 (February 1951), 38. One of the great lexicographers of the twentieth century, ERIC PARTRIDGE 1894-1979] had a keen interest in slang and unconventional English. He wrote over forty books on the English language and compiled the Dictionary of Slang and Unconventional English, Shakespeare's Bawdy and A Dictionary of Catch Phrases. He also wrote novels under the pseudonym Corrie Denison.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1584774444
• ISBN13: 9781584774440
• Release Date: July 2013
• Publisher: Lawbook Exchange, Limited, The
• Length: 804 Pages
• Weight: 3.59 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.7" x 7.0" x 10.0"

Customer Reviews

One of My Top 10 Favorite Books

This most delightful book is not only erotic and impossible to put down but is extremely well documented. The author cites over 100 sources to support his points. Many historical references to implications of various styles are nicely illustrated with drawings and photographs. It is impossible to refrain from self-analysis and sizing up the personalities of those around you based on the psychosexual themes conveyed through dressing the foot. The book is a comprehensive look at the historical and contemporary implications of the role feet and shoes play in flirtation and mating.

It does a great job of explaining the shoe fetish

I read this book a few years ago as well when I was doing research as a PsyD student. My thesis and research included this fetish and I found this book very useful, and singificant up to date from the older material available such as Psycho-Sexualis by Krafft and Ebbing. It was right on target and fun to read. The life of a true shoe fetishist is very intersting and very solo, but the life of shoe play incorporated into a sex life can be incredible with the right shoes. Although I never became a shoes only fetishist the experiments with women and their shoes turned out to be erotic and lots of fun. I only wish there was a sequal to this book with more current and explicit details for couples. My partner and I discovered so much more that can be done in play the book became a great starting point. Another discovery that we made was that although women do not share the same fetish as men they can, if open to experiment, share aspects of the fetish differently, but with just as much excitement and tension as men. As I have always felt, some designers of high fashion women's footwear may have utility in mind, (boring) but some designers "get it" and have a lot more in mind than utility when they design a woman's shoe or boot it is clearly to create sexual excitement.

FOOT LOOSE AND FANCY FREE!

I read this book many, many years ago and have always wanted to obtain my own copy, and to read it again. I found this book to be UTTERLY FASCINATING...., interesting and a good giggle in places. The author clearly knows his subject, and one learns, for instance, the mystery behind Cinderella's glass slipper. It is NOT only a book for people with foot fetishes. It's a great read and I would recommend it to anyone. I can assure you that after reading this book, you will start noticing the shoes people wear... as certain types of people wear certain types of shoes.... SO TRUE! I just LOVE men in BOOTS!! Read all about it for yourselves!!!! (It will probably make you rush out and buy "appropriate" shoes!!!