
A parent, teacher, or older teen might reach for this book when studying early 20th-century American history or literature to better understand the language of the time. Despite its title, this book is not a children's story. It is a specialized, academic glossary of American slang from the 1900s to the 1930s, with a focus on the Roaring Twenties. This reference work is intended for adult readers and researchers interested in historical linguistics. It is crucial for parents to know that this book contains extensive historical slang that is now considered highly offensive, including ethnic slurs, derogatory terms, and references to criminal activity. It is a tool for historical context, not for casual reading or vocabulary building with children.
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Sign in to write a reviewIncludes frank and often derogatory slang related to sexuality and women's bodies.
The entire volume is a collection of sensitive historical terms. The approach is academic and descriptive, not narrative. It includes intense, dated racism and discrimination via ethnic slurs, misogynistic language, and frequent references to substance use (alcohol, drugs) and criminal activity. These are presented directly as historical artifacts for study.
An adult (18+) historian, linguist, or writer researching the language and culture of early 20th century America. It could also be a resource for an upper-level high school or college student studying a text like 'The Great Gatsby' with significant adult guidance.
The entire book requires adult preview and historical context. It should not be given to a child or young teen without careful curation and discussion. The introduction and purpose of the glossary should be read first to frame the content appropriately as a historical document. A parent would not be triggered to find this for a child. An adult might seek this out for their own research after encountering period slang in a film or book and wanting to understand the historical context. It is a resource for the parent or teacher, not the student.
Not applicable for children. An unguided high school student might misinterpret the content as acceptable or be shocked by the offensive language. An adult reader is expected to approach the material with an academic and historical lens.
Unlike many general slang dictionaries, this book's specific focus on the 1900s-1930s and its commitment to including the offensive and taboo language of the era for historical accuracy makes it a unique, unfiltered academic resource.
This book is an alphabetical glossary of early 20th century American slang, primarily from the 1920s. It is a non-fiction reference work, not a narrative story. The contents are a compilation of colloquial expressions and their idiomatic meanings, covering topics such as bootlegging, criminal activities, drug use, filmmaking, and sports. The book explicitly includes terms that are now considered offensive and inappropriate, such as ethnic slurs and derogatory descriptions of women, presenting them for historical and linguistic context.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.