A Dictionary of Epithets and Terms of Address

by Leslie Dunkling

Overview

This book will give learners of English the confidence to address people appropriately in a wide variety of situations. It will also help them to understand what is implied when an English speaker uses a particular way of addressing someone. These topics are entirely neglected in most courses and textbooks, and there is no other reference work on the subject. Anyone who is fascinated by words will also find much here of interest. A wealth of historical, sociological and etymological information is set out in a highly readable style. Some 2,000 entries arranged in alphabetical order shed new light on familiar terms of address and present many curiosities. The author gives examples from a wide range of literature, particularly twentieth century novels, and provides an illuminating commentary on them.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780415007610
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	06/07/1990
Pages:	272
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.19(h) x (d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Leslie Dunkling is Senior Producer for BBC English, BBC World Service.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Introduction; Chapter 2 A Dictionary of Epithets and Terms of Address;

Editorial Reviews

‘Here is a truly comprehsive treasure-house (2,000 entries) of those curious, endearing, abusive, formal and poetic terms of address English speakers, in Britain and the U.S.A. particularly, have been wont to call each other since Shakespeare's time, in public and private, in print and whisper ... an excellent scholarly treatment of this fascinating topic' - English Today

‘This scholarly work deals with an aspect of mailing that has received nothing like the attention it deserves. One of the most valuable features of this study is the Introduction ... the volume is an original and entertaining compendium of facts and quotes.' - Adrian Room, Names

‘Leslie Dunkling has produced a dictionary ‘which deals as comprehensively as possible with the terms of address ... used by English-speaking people'. It is of interest to native speakers of English, but it will be most useful to foreign students of English throughout the world.' - Contemporary Review

From the Publisher

Some 2,000 entries are arranged in alphabetical order. They consist of descriptive explanations, with many examples drawn from literature, of individual words such as dear, idiot, madam, and professor as well as generic entries such as first name, last name, and nickname. Both British and American terms and meanings are included, although the bias seems to be toward the British. The introduction presents the author's reasons for compiling this dictionary (one of them is the greater importance of terms of address in English than in other languages that have two or more terms for "you") and details some of the psychological and practical motivations involved. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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