Monday, March 23, 2009

Words

On to Z! Quirky regional dictionary nears finish: "MADISON, Wis. – If you don't know a stone toter from Adam's off ox, or aren't sure what a grinder shop sells, the Dictionary of American Regional English is for you.

The collection of regional words and phrases is beloved by linguists and authors and used as a reference in professions as diverse as acting and police work. And now, after five decades of wide-ranging research that sometimes got word-gatherers run out of suspicious small towns, the job is almost finished.

The dictionary team at the University of Wisconsin-Madison is nearing completion of the final volume, covering 'S' to 'Z.' A new federal grant will help the volume get published next year, joining the first four volumes already in print."

Hat tip to Angela Crider.

2 comments:

Todd Mason said...

One might be forgiven for not knowing what a grinder shop sells, specifically, around here in Philadelphia, where some distinction is made by some between the "New England-style grinder" and the presumably more locally obvious submarine sandwich. How strictly define a hero (vs. gyro) is adds similar wrinkles.

Cap'n Bob said...

I'm sure Alvin requires its own volume.

WV: Facqu. Yeah, well facqu, too.