Frank Stevens
You will be amazed at the large number of words for FOOD in the English language which actually mean something else, and this book is packed with them. Most of them are drawn from the universe of SLANG, COLLOQUIALISMS, and JARGON, and:
- will give you a better appreciation and understanding of our language;
- will help you build and enrich your vocabulary;
- will stimulate your interest in language and reading;
- will add color and variety to your conversation and personal speech;
- will invigorate your curiosity about unusual words and phrases.
While aimed primarily at Middle-Schoolers and Teenagers, word detectives of all ages will also enjoy what is found behind the door of SLANGUAGE, and this book opens that door quite a bit!!!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Frank A. Stevens, Sr. was a teacher-librarian, adjunct professor of library and information science, and long-time Senior Program Officer for the Office of Educational Research and Improvement, U.S. Department of Education in Washington, D. C. until his retirement. He is the author of numerous articles in professional education journals. He has a BA from SUNY at Albany, N.Y., an MS from St. John''s University in New York City, and has done Doctoral studies at Catholic University, Washington, D.C. He was born and raised in Rochester, N. Y. and currently resides in Sarasota, Florida, near his daughter, son-in-law, and grand-children.
ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATORS
Hal J. J. Sherman, Jr. is a free-lance commercial artist trained in industrial arts, graphics, printing, design, photography, production, layout, radio, newspapers, and TV. He is also an audio-video specialist. He is single, a former Golden Glove boxer and DJ, and a PAL Manatee County Boxing Associate. He currently resides in Sarasota, Florida.
Vern Firestone is a graphic illustrator and designer who is the Vice President of Executive Assistants, a personal and business assistance company that specializes in graphic design. He currently resides in Sarasota, Florida with his wife, son, and animals.
ALFALFA, n. a plant with clover-shaped leaves and purple flowers, used for food and animal fodder.
Alfalfa, n. {slang} beard, as in “Hey Charlie, that’s a nicespread of alfalfa on your chin. Ho ho ho!”
AMBROSIA, n. food that is tasty and delicious.
Ambrosia, n. {slang} anything that tastes or smells good, as in “Honey, you’re better than ambrosia!”
ANCHOVY, n. a strongly-flavored fish filet which is used in adding zest to other foods.
Anchovy, n. {slang} a sloppy, dumb, low-class young woman, as in “She’s not my cup of tea - a real bimbo, a real anchovy!”
APPLE, n. a round red, green or yellow fruit with firm, juicy, edible flesh pulp.
Adam’s apple, n. {slang} the throat.
Alley apple, n. {slang} a rock thrown during a street brawl.
Apple, n. {slang} a baseball or football, as in “Roger Clemens can sure do wonders with an apple!”
Apple butter, n. {slang} hogwash; nonsense, as in “You’re full of apple butter, Mac!”
Apple knocker, n. {slang} an apple-picker; also, a fool, idiot or backward hick or peasant, as in “Upstate New York is sure full of apple-knockers.”
Apple of one’s eye, phr. {slang} a cherished, dearly-loved person or thing, as in “My new granddaughter sure is the apple of my eye!”
Apple orchard, n. {slang} a police entrapment site, as in “Be careful, pal, the corner of First and Main is an apple orchard - the fuzz are out in force there!”
Apple pie order, phr. {slang} neat, almost perfect, as in “Fran’s house is always in apple pie order.”
Apple polishing, phr. {slang} gaining favor from someone through flattery, as in “Honey, your beauty is only exceeded by your brains!”
Apple sauce, n. {slang} nonsense; bull, as in “You’re full of applesauce, Mac!”
Apple shaker, n. {slang} see “Apple knocker”, above.
Applehead, n. {slang} idiot; numbskull, as in “He’s got the brains of an applehead!”
Apple peeler, n. {slang} a knife, as in “Hand me that apple peeler, Charlie - I’ve got to scale the fish!”
Applebox, n. {slang} a small platform used to raise the height of actors and stage props.
Bad apple, n. {slang} {see “Rotten apple” below.}
The Big Apple, n. {show business slang}
New York City. {Author’s Note: as New York City became the jazz and entertain ment center of the United States in the early 20th Century, musicians began referring to it as “The Big Apple”, because to perform there was to have reached the “core of the apple” - that is, the top, pinnacle, or summit of the music world}, as in “We’ve finally made it boys, - our next gig is in the Big Apple!”}
Chewing the apple, phr. {show business slang}
a show business term referring to an actor who is overacting or “hotdogging” it up. {Author’s Note: the great Jackie Gleason once complained about fellow-actor Anthony Quinn for “chewing the apple” during a rehearsal for the landmark TV production of Requiem For A Heavyweight.)
