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Jonathon Green is a walking dictionary of modern slang

Jonathon Green

November 27, 2008 12:35
Jonathon green

By

Candice Krieger,

Candice Krieger

1 min read

Do you know what a "hoffing" is? A "Jew-fencer"? Or what a "Nazi spy" is slang for? Author Jonathon Green reveals all in his newly-published Chambers Slang Dictionary.

Mr Green, a 60-year-old lexicographer, has spent more than 15 years researching the dictionary, which contains definitions of around 85,000 slang words and phrases.

He tells People: "I've always loved reading and language and I've now found myself in the perfect job.
"I love the fascination of language and enjoy the absolute outrageousness of some of the slang. It's not politically correct; it's all dope, sex and rock and roll. It doesn't do caring, sharing and compassion.
"It's very obvious that Yiddish plays a part in slang and having a smattering of Yiddush from my father, this is something I know a bit about."

London-based Mr Green, who read history at Oxford, acknowledges there are quite a few Yiddish words and phrases in his new book, including: bubele (a general affectionate term of address) and alter kacker (old sh*t).