Dictionary of the American West / Edition 2

by Win Blevins

Overview

Did you ever need to spell “dogie” (as in, get-along-little), or need to know what a “sakey” is? This is the book that can tell you how to spell, pronounce, and define over 5,000 terms relative to the American West.

Want to know what a “breachy” cow is? Turn to page 43 to learn that it’s an adjective used to describe a cow that has a tendency to find her way through fences where she isn’t supposed to be. Describes some teenagers we know…

Spend hours perusing the dictionary at random, or read straight through to give you a flavor of the West from its beginnings to contemporary days. Laced with photographs and maps, the Dictionary of the American West will make you sound like an expert on all things Western, even if you don’t know your dingus from a dinner plate.

Compiled of words brought into English from Native Americans, emigrants, Mormons, Hispanics, migrant workers, loggers, and fur trappers, the dictionary opens up history and culture in an enchanting way. From “Aarigaa!” to “zopilote,” the Dictionary of the American West is a “valuable book, a treasure for any literate American’s library.” (Tony Hillerman)

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780875653730
Publisher:	TCU Press
Publication date:	08/07/2008
Edition description:	Expanded Edition
Pages:	429
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 1.40(d)

About the Author

Win Blevins in an award-winning author of thirteen books, including Give Your Heart to the Hawks, Stone Song, and RavenShadow. He lives in Utah’s Canyon lands.

Editorial Reviews

Western novelist Blevins ( The Misadventures of Silk and Shakespeare , LJ 10/1585) has developed this useful and interesting addition to the genre of dictionaries of regionalisms for lay readers. Her book therefore lacks the scholarly approach of Dictionary of American Regional English ( LJ 11/1/85) and Reader's Encyclopedia of the American West (o.p.). However, for those who don't know the difference between aguardiente and leopard sweat, this book is informative and fun. It is more encompassing than similar works, such as Western Words: A Dictionary of the American West and Cowboy Limbo (both o.p.), both by Ramon Adams; or Peter Watts's A Dictionary of the Old West (o.p.). Blevins's work incorporates the language of various Western professions, such as logging and mining, as well as ethnic groups, such as Mormons and Native Americans. Geographically, it ranges from the Klondike to the Southwest. In addition, the words included date from the history of the West to modern bureaucratic phraseology, with cross references, sources, and a pronunciation guide. Recommended for both reference and general entertainment collections. --Daniel Liestman, Seattle Pacific Univ. Lib.

Library Journal

YA-A lively collection of 5,000 Western terms and expressions from ``a-coming and a-going'' to Zuni. Based on earlier dictionaries of the area but enhanced by the inclusion of such groups as ``women, Indians, Mormons, Hispanics, blacks, French Canadians...,'' the volume contains mostly short definitions of a few lines, but some are more lengthy and include quotes and anecdotes as well as pronunciation guides and cross references. This will be useful for readers of Westerns and for regional and local history collections.

School Library Journal

Blevins, author of popular western novels, defines some 5,000 terms and expressions relevant to cowboy culture, historic and contemporary American Indian culture, ranching, gambling, the fur trade, cattle and horses, and native flora and fauna. The definitions are entertaining and informative. Includes b&w illustrations and a bibliographical essay. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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