Antarctic Dictionary: a Complete Guide to Antarctic English

(Hardback)

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The world's most isolated continent has spawned some of the most unusual words in the English language and, now, one of the most unique dictionaries. In the space of a mere century, a remarkable vocabulary has evolved to deal with the extraordinary environment and living organisms of the Antarctic and subantarctic. This is a complete guide to the origin and definitions of Antarctic words.

Reviews

"... a genuine piece of scholarship by one who is an appropriately qualified editorial specialist who has worked in the Antarctic... The volume is well produced by CSIRO and the Museum of Victoria, both institutions with a long history of quality publication."
--Polar Record
"An important addition to any Antarctic collection."
--D.W. Heron "Choice "
"Australia's love affair with Antarctica has been commemorated in the world's first dictionary of Antarctic English ... Apart from the intrinsic pleasure of using expressions such as "donga" (a transportable dwelling), "big eye" (insomnia caused by 24-hour sunlight), "jolly" (a recreational trip) and "homers" (home-brewed beer), the dictionary also acts as a linguistic guide to the history of Antarctic exploration."
Mark Chipperfield (The Bulletin, 9 January 2001)--Mark Chipperfield (01/09/2001)
"I cannot imagine any 'Antarcticist' not finding value and enlightenment in this volume ..."
David W. H. Walton (Antarctic Science, 2001)-- (01/01/2001)
"I found the book fun to browse, especially as there are many supporting citations for each entry, so that the text as a whole builds up a fascinating picture of Antarctic exploration."

--Michael Quinion

"If there is there any dictionary of English which I would want by my bedside, it would be this one. It is fascinating from start to finish, not just for a linguist or lexicographer but anyone who wants to experience the Antarctic through the lexis it has inspired and through the words of those who have been there. Perhaps this is the first post-modern dictionary in which the dictionary becomes an art form."
--Koenraad Kuiper "International Journal of Lexicography "
"Take a slow browse, especially through the recently dated, well-sourced quotations that are very readable."
--Hazel Edwards
"The dazzling glitter of 20,000 quotations amid 2000 headwords prompts a search for dark glasses. In fact, The Antarctic Dictionary can be enjoyed bare-eyed and bare-handed at poolside ... As with all vigorous tributaries of our language, Antarctic English is rich in humour."
--Frank Devine
"The Ice Continent has found its own Samuel Johnson in Bernadette Hince, a lexicographer who has meticulously documented the unique brand of English used by Americans, Australians, Britons, New Zealanders and South Africans working in Antarctica."
--Jeff Rubin "Chicago Tribune "
"This dictionary is unusual in being an enjoyable scholarly work. For the growing number of tourists to Antarctica, all of them avid to read everything they can find about it and for the jafas and winter-overers, this dictionary offers the language they will need for their time on the ice."

This is more than just a good glossary. The Antarctic Dictionary is a veritable encyclopedia of language, history, geography, flora, fauna and social science.
Wayne Crawford (The Sunday Tasmanian, 25 March 2001)-- (03/25/2001)