description Eric Partridge Overview
Eric Honeywood Partridge was a New Zealand-born British lexicographer, etymologist, and author of numerous reference works on the English language. Born near Waimate in 1894, he moved to Queensland in 1910 and later served in the Australian Imperial Force and the Royal Flying Corps during the First World War. His most influential work, A Dictionary of Slang and Unconventional English, was first published in 1937 and went through multiple editions in his lifetime. He also produced Usage and Abusage, A Dictionary of Catch Phrases, and works on Shakespeare's bawdy language.
He died in 1979 in England.
help Eric Partridge FAQ
Who was Eric Partridge?
Eric Honeywood Partridge was a New Zealand-born British lexicographer and etymologist best known for documenting slang and unconventional English. He was born in 1894 near Waimate and died in 1979.
What is Eric Partridge's best-known dictionary?
His best-known work is A Dictionary of Slang and Unconventional English, first published in 1937. Partridge produced seven editions during his lifetime, and later editors continued the work after his death.
Did Eric Partridge serve in World War I?
Yes. He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in 1915 and served in Egypt, Gallipoli, and on the Western Front, where he was wounded at the Battle of Pozières.
How did Eric Partridge's career connect New Zealand, Australia, and Britain?
He was born in New Zealand, moved with his family to Queensland in 1910, and later built his publishing career in Britain. His work on British, Australian, and American slang reflected that unusually international background.
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