A history of slang charts the change in taboos

SAMUEL JOHNSON defined his profession as that of a 'harmless drudge'. Yet it has been well served by lexicographers writing entertainingly about their work. Two good examples are Kory Stamper waxing lyrical about the job itself and Jesse Sheidlower, in 'The F-Word', about the ubiquitous English swear word.But lexicography really is patient, slow and yes, sometimes tedious work. Trying to find citations here or there that show what some rare word means or, perhaps even harder, revising the endless definitions for all-purpose words that run for page after page in a big dictionary is not for those of an impatient bent.Few lexicographers are lucky enough, then, to have both endlessly pleasurable work and the talent to write amusingly about it. Jonathon Green is one. Mr Green is the world's most respected chronicler of slang. His masterwork is the three-volume 'Green's Dictionary of Slang'. First published in 2010, it is continually updated in an online version,...Continue reading
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