44 Useful books about learning idioms and slang in English
Idioms are expressions which have a meaning that is not obvious from the individual words. For example, the idiom drive someone round the bend means make someone angry or frustrated, but we cannot know this just by looking at the words.(Reff: Idiom In use)
We made a list of 44 books about idioms, Slang, expressions, and phrasal verbs in English to learn a fun way to understand a language’s culture. The good point is you can have all these books from Amazon!
1. “Oxford Dictionary of English Idioms” by John Ayto:
- Contains over 10,000 definitions explaining the meanings of English idioms
- Includes hundreds of illustrative quotations, both modern and historical
- Fully revised and updated to include more than 400 new idioms
- Offers fascinating information on the origins of idioms for many entries
- Draws on the Oxford corpora, key aspects of the largest dictionary research program in the world
- A thematic index complements the entries and aids navigation
2. “Idioms in Use: Advanced” series by Michael McCarthy and Felicity O’Dell:
English Idioms in use Advanced is a vocabulary book for advanced level learners. It is primarily designed as a self-study reference and practice text but it can also be used for classroom work.
3. “Cambridge International Dictionary of Idioms” by Cambridge University Press:
The Cambridge International Dictionary of Idioms explains over 7,000 idioms current in British, American and Australian English, helping learners to understand them and use them with confidence.
4. “Slangman Guide to Street Speak” series by David Burke:
The Slangman Guide to STREET SPEAK 1 takes you through the colorful and popular world of everyday American slang and idioms used by all native speakers of English in the US. It has been featured on CNN, BBC, Voice of America, and several other international TV broadcasts.
For ESL (English as a Second Language) students, this book equals years of living in the USA and will help you to quickly integrate into the American culture by learning not only the slang and idioms, but well also take you through the contractions and reductions used by everyone such as I dunno (I do not know) and Djeet jet? (Did you eat yet?) and so many others.
Entertaining dialogues, activities and games will make sure you have a blast (have fun) and dont sweat it (get tense) as you get up to speed (become current) on all the typical slang and idioms used by virtually every native speaker! So chill out (relax), kick back (get comfortable) as you learn the real language spoken by virtually all of us in the USA!
5. “NTC’s Dictionary of Everyday American English Expressions” by Richard A. Spears:
With more than 7,000 up-to-date phrases, this dictionary covers situations from talking to a doctor to ordering a meal, and helps learners communicate personal feelings, and make small talk.
6. “English Idioms and How to Use Them” by W. McMordie:
a. This book explores a variety of English idioms and provides explanations along with exercises to reinforce learning.
7. “The Red-Hot Book of Spanish Slang: 5,000 Expressions to Spice Up Your Spainsh” by Mary McVey Gill and Brenda Wegmann:
a. While focusing on Spanish slang, this book can be interesting for English speakers learning Spanish and looking to understand the colloquial side of the language.
8. “McGraw-Hill’s Essential American Idioms” by Richard Spears:
· Richard Spears provides explanations and exercises to help learners understand and use essential American idioms.
9. “101 American English Idioms” by Harry Collis and Mario Russo:
· This book introduces 101 commonly used American English idioms with clear explanations, examples, and practice exercises.
10. “English Idioms in Use: Intermediate” series by Felicity O’Dell and Michael McCarthy:
· This series is part of the Cambridge University Press series and is designed for learners of English at various levels. It includes explanations, examples, and practice exercises.
11. “McGraw-Hill’s American Idioms Dictionary” by Richard Spears:
· Another work by Richard Spears, this dictionary is a comprehensive guide to American idioms, providing explanations and examples in an easy-to-understand format.
12. “Slang and Euphemism: A Dictionary of Oaths, Curses, Insults, Ethnic Slurs, Sexual Slang and Metaphor, Drug Talk, College Lingo, and Related Matters” by Richard A. Spears:
· If you’re interested in exploring a broader range of slang, this dictionary covers various types of slang and euphemisms used in English.
13. “Streetwise Spanish Dictionary/Thesaurus: The User-Friendly Guide to Spanish Slang and Idioms” by Mary McVey Gill and Brenda Wegmann:
· While focusing on Spanish slang, this book can be helpful for English speakers learning Spanish, as it provides insights into colloquial expressions and idioms.
14. “The American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms” by Christine Ammer:
· This dictionary provides concise explanations and examples of idiomatic expressions commonly used in American English.
15. “English Idioms and How to Use Them” by Edward Swick:
· This book focuses on common English idioms, providing explanations, examples, and practice exercises to help learners incorporate idiomatic expressions into their language use.
80 animation movies for learning English + Video!
16. “Slang and Sociability: In-Group Language among College Students” by Connie Eble:
· While more focused on sociolinguistics, this book provides insights into the development and use of slang, making it an interesting read for those interested in the cultural aspects of language.
17. “Speak English Like an American” by Amy Gillett:
· This book, along with its audio companion, introduces commonly used American English idioms and expressions in a conversational context, helping learners sound more natural in everyday conversation.
18. “A to Zed, A to Zee: A Guide to the Differences Between British and American English” by Glenn Darragh:
· While not solely focused on idioms, this book explores the differences between British and American English, including variations in idiomatic expressions and slang.
19. “Slang: The Topical Dictionary of Americanisms” by Paul Dickson:
· A comprehensive dictionary covering a wide range of American slang terms, this book provides definitions and insights into the cultural context of slang.
20. “Idiomantics: The Weird and Wonderful World of Popular Phrases” by Philip Gooden:
· This book takes a playful approach to exploring idioms, delving into their origins and providing entertaining anecdotes related to popular phrases.
21. “Dictionary of Idioms and Their Origins” by Linda and Roger Flavell:
· This book not only provides definitions for idioms but also explores their fascinating origins, offering historical context and background information.
22. “Idioms for Everyday Use” by Milada Broukal:
· Geared towards English language learners, this book introduces common idioms and phrases used in everyday conversation, accompanied by explanations and exercises.
23. “NTC’s Thematic Dictionary of American Idioms” by Richard A. Spears:
· Organized thematically, this dictionary groups idioms based on topics, making it easier for learners to grasp related expressions in context.
24. “Slang: The People’s Poetry” by Michael Adams:
· Taking a linguistic and cultural perspective, this book explores the history and significance of slang, shedding light on its evolution and use in various communities.
25. “English Idioms in Use: Advanced” by Felicity O’Dell and Michael McCarthy:
· This advanced-level book is part of the popular Cambridge series, providing idiomatic expressions, explanations, and exercises for more proficient English learners.
26. “Australian Slang: A Dictionary” by Sidney J. Baker:
· For those interested in Australian English, this dictionary provides a guide to Australian slang, helping learners understand the unique expressions used Down Under.
27. “Speak English Around Town: Conduct Everyday Conversations with Confidence” by Amy Gillett:
· While not exclusively focused on idioms, this book helps learners incorporate natural-sounding English, including idiomatic expressions, into their everyday conversations.
28. “The Little Red Book of Very Dirty Words” by Alexis Munier:
· If you’re curious about more colloquial and informal language, this book provides a collection of colorful and explicit slang words and expressions.
29. “Slang and Its Analogues Past and Present: A Dictionary Historical and Comparative of the Heterodox Speech of All Classes of Society for More than Three Hundred Years” by John S. Farmer:
· This comprehensive work explores slang throughout history, offering a historical perspective on the evolution of language.
30. “Dictionary of Caribbean English Usage” by Richard Allsopp:
· If you’re interested in Caribbean English, this dictionary explores the language’s unique idioms and expressions, reflecting the cultural diversity of the region.
31. “Green’s Dictionary of Slang” by Jonathon Green:
· A comprehensive and authoritative work, this dictionary covers slang from various English-speaking regions, providing historical context and usage examples.
32. “Slang and its Analogues Past and Present: A Dictionary, Historical and Comparative, of the Heterodox Speech of All Classes of Society for More Than Three Hundred Years” by John S. Farmer and W.E. Henley:
· An extensive historical dictionary of slang, offering insights into the development and usage of informal language over centuries.
what movies are NOT useful for learning English? + 56 movies
33. “A to Zed of Aussie Slang” by Lenie Johansen:
· Focused on Australian slang, this book provides an alphabetical guide to the unique expressions used in Australia.
34. “The Big Book of Beastly Mispronunciations: The Complete Opinionated Guide for the Careful Speaker” by Charles Harrington Elster:
· While not specifically about slang, this book addresses common language pitfalls, including pronunciation, making it a helpful resource for refining language skills.
35. “Dictionary of Idioms” by Collins:
· Collins offers a practical dictionary that includes a wide array of English idioms, suitable for learners and those looking to expand their knowledge of everyday expressions.
36. “The Oxford Dictionary of Modern Slang” by John Ayto and John Simpson:
· This dictionary provides a comprehensive overview of modern slang, capturing the evolving language used in contemporary society.
37. “Shakespeare’s Words: A Glossary and Language Companion” by David and Ben Crystal:
· While not focused on modern slang, this book explores the language of William Shakespeare, including many idioms and expressions that have found their way into modern English.
38. “A Dictionary of Rhyming Slang” by Julian Franklyn:
· This dictionary delves into the world of rhyming slang, a form of English slang where words or phrases are replaced with rhyming phrases.
39. “The American Slang Dictionary” by James Maitland:
· James Maitland’s dictionary covers a variety of American slang terms, providing definitions and examples.
40. “Ntc’s Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions” by Richard A. Spears:
· Richard A. Spears provides another valuable resource for learners of American English, offering explanations and examples of slang and colloquial expressions.
41. “A Dictionary of Modern Slang, Cant, and Vulgar Words” by John Camden Hotten:
· Originally published in the 19th century, this historical dictionary provides insights into the slang and vulgar language of the time, offering a unique perspective on the evolution of language.
42. “Slang Down the Ages” by Jonathon Green:
· Jonathon Green, a renowned lexicographer of slang, explores the history and development of slang over different time periods, providing a comprehensive look at the evolution of informal language.
43. “Ntc’s Dictionary of British Slang and Colloquial Expressions” by Ewart James:
· Another resource focusing on British slang, this dictionary provides explanations and examples of informal language used in the United Kingdom.
44. “Lexicon Balatronicum: A Dictionary of Buckish Slang, University Wit, and Pickpocket Eloquence” by Francis Grose:
· Originally published in 1811, this historic dictionary captures the slang and colloquial language used by various groups in 18th-century England.
