Wise-crack dictionary : More than 1,000 phrases and words in every day use collected from 10,000 communications received during a newspaper prize contest and other sources, a new addition to the American dictionary

This compact volume gathers more than a thousand everyday phrases and slang terms culled from thousands of letters, newspaper contests, and street chatter across the United States. From circus performers to courtroom crooks, the entries capture the colorful jargon of every social stratum that defined the roaring twenties. Listeners will hear each definition delivered with a wink, revealing not only meaning but the vivid context that gave each expression its life.

The editors present the entries alphabetically, pairing the strange term with a concise, often humorous explanation—think “Bee’s knees” for something wonderful or “big cheese” for the boss. Whether you’re a writer seeking authentic dialogue, a parent decoding teenage slang, or simply a fan of linguistic oddities, the book serves as an entertaining guide to a bygone American vernacular. Tune in and let the quirky lexicon bring a smile to your ear while sharpening your ear for the way language evolves.