This work investigates the evolution and usage of non-standard English, aiming to document the vast lexicon of slang, colloquialisms, and vulgarisms that exist outside formal linguistic structures. Eric Partridge, a renowned lexicographer, compiled this extensive reference to capture the ephemeral nature of spoken language. The text serves as a historical record of how informal speech patterns, puns, and regional Americanisms integrated into the broader English vocabulary over several centuries.

Experts recognize this volume as a foundational reference for the study of informal English and social history. Readers frequently note the immense density of the entries and the scholarly rigor applied to documenting language that is often excluded from standard dictionaries.