Dictionaries of the national language of a country are an essential and quite frequently controversial part of social life and learning. This is an account of how such dictionaries are made, how they are used, and the issues and problems that face their writers and editors. It is wide-ranging, scholarly, and readable. The author gives a concise history of the general-purpose dictionary, describing both the main approaches to dictionary making and the main kinds of dictionary. After comparing the different lexicographical traditions of Great Britain and the USA, and considering the roles of dictionaries in those countries, Dr Bejoint explores the linguistic problems in such matters as distinguishing meanings, writing definition, providing synonyms, etc. He ends with a discussion of current lexicographical trends.

Have you heard the one about the man who walked into a bar? (Ouch!)... Penguin Pocket Jokes is essential (and hilarious) reading for anyone searching for the perfect joke. Whether you want a snappy wisecrack or a longer rib-tickler when making a speech, this easy-to-use guide will provide the perfect witticism.

The words "Purple mountains majesty" were written into the song "Oh, Beautiful," but it could have also been red, yellow, or orange, perhaps. The Rocky Mountains are filled with spectacular colours year round. Pick your favourite and find it with this book.

This classic dictionary deals carefully and exhaustively with all the words which occur in Anglo-Saxon poetry and prose. Variant dialectic forms are given, together with variant forms found in the same dialect. Purely poetic words and words not common in prose are indicated, and references are given to the passages in which they occur. First published in 1894, this is a reprint of the fourth edition (Cambridge University Press, 1960).

An English to Bangla and Bangla to English Dictionary with up-to-date coverage of Bengali and English in a compact, portable format. This dictionary is designed for all levels of user working with Bangla and English, whether at home, at school, or at work. It is the ideal dictionary for anyone who needs translation help in a handy, portable format. Contains all the everyday words and phrases used in today's Bangla and English that you will need to know. o An easy-to-use and reliable dictionary. o Over 30,000 references and translations

A Dictionary of Moroccan Arabic complements A Basic Course in Moroccan Arabic (text and CDs) and A Short Reference Grammar of Moroccan Arabic It presents, in an impressive range, the core vocabulary of everyday life in Morocco--from the kitchen to the mosque, from the hardware store to the natural world of plants and animals. It contains myriad examples of usage, including formulaic phrases and idiomatic expressions. Understandable throughout the nation, it is based primarily on the standard dialect of Moroccans from the cities of Fez, Rabat, and Casablanca. All Arabic citations are in an English transcription, making it invaluable to English-speaking non-Arabists, travelers, and tourists-as well as being an important resource tool for students and scholars in the Arabic language-learning field.

This is a comprehensive guide to the often confusing subject of thermodynamics, for engineers, physicists, and chemists. The succinct entries are arranged alphabetically, allowing the reader to browse through the subject and to pursue a particular point, skipping or ignoring extraneous points. After twenty years of teaching thermodynamics, Professor Perrot knows exactly which areas students find difficult and has taken particular trouble with these points. The entries explain the words and phrases that crop up in thermodynamics without recourse to pages of mathematics and algebra: the main aim being to explain and clarify the jargon and concepts. Professor Perrot achieves this aim while maintaining a refreshing lightness of prose style, in which spirit he also includes some asides on interesting people and events in the history of thermodynamics.

Do you approve of censoring the works of great writers? Some might contend that to bowdlerize a great writer's work would be to diminish its overall quality. Others, like Thomas Bowdler, whose eraser danced over every Shakespeare play, would argue that all modest people should be able to read a great work without blushing. For attacking the classics, Mr. Bowdler has been immortalized as the world's best-known, self-appointed literary censor. And because of his efforts the term bowdlerize has become eponymous with his name. Alternatively, the word bikini--defined as a two- piece bathing suit for women--has been a linguistic mystery since 1947 when these suits were first seen on the beaches of the French Riviera, a year after the United States began testing atom bombs on the Bikini atoll of the Marshall Islands. Some shocked people said that the impact of the scanty swimsuit on male beach loungers was like the devastating effect of the atomic bomb. Whoosh! A simpler and more credible notion is that the daring swimsuits resembled the attire worn by women on the Bikini atoll.

Created about a century ago, the term eponym is itself a coinage from two Greek words, epi, "on" or "upon," and onama, "a name." But its broadened meaning, as dictionaries set it out, refers to a word derived from a proper name. For instance, Salisbury steak--a popular diner menu item created from common hamburger and dressed up with brown gravy to make it more appealing--is named for James H. Salisbury, an English physician who promoted a diet of ground beef.

A Dictionary of Eponyms explores the origins of hundreds of these everyday words from Argyle socks to zeppelins. Written in an entertaining and anecdotal style, and with a foreword by Edwin Newman, the book includes a brief biography of the individual whose name became associated with an item or concept as well as information on how and when the name entered the language.

If you've ever wondered just where terms like cardigan sweater, pamphlet, and robot come from, Morton Freeman does more than simply define them--he brings them to life.

The perfect portable reference for anyone who needs Spanish legal terms at their fingertips, this book is designed to help communicate in real-life situations where it is vital to quickly find a legal term or phrase. Convenient and easy-to-use, this dictionary includes 6,000 entries with current terms and concepts relevant to everyday legal situations. The topics are divided for easy reference so users will be sure to find the right word quickly. Topics include: General and Procedural Terms, Commercial Law, Criminal Law, Family Law, Health Care Law, Housing Law, Traffice Law, and Immigration Law. This dictionary is perfect for professionals who work with Spanish speakers, including interpreters and translators, police, customs, and social services.