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American Slang Goes Back Further than You Might Think

Linguist Geoff Nunberg comments on the history of slang, and refers to two books about it: Johnathan Lighter's Random House Historical Dictionary of American Slang (1994) and "Flappers 2 Rappers" by Tom Dalzell (1997).

04:38

Other segments from the episode on March 19, 1997

Fresh Air with Terry Gross, March 19, 1997: Interview with David Zucchino; Commentary on slang; Interview with John Gregory Dunne; Review of U2's album "Pop."

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