This ad will be closed automatically in X seconds.

Roald Dahl’s words get their own dictionary

Release on June 2 is part of the centenary celebrations running throughout the year.

A new dictionary featuring Roald Dahl’s swashboggling words is released tomorrow (June 2), forming part of the celebrations around the century of the author’s birth.

The dictionary has taken five years to compile, and features almost 8,000 real words – and invented ones.

The Oxford Roald Dahl Dictionary was compiled by lexicographer, Dr Susan Rennie, and also features illustrator Quentin Blake.

As well as swashboggling (which means ‘very special’), it also includes the likes of phiz-whizzing (if you like something or someone), wondercrump (wonderful or splendiferous), flushbunking (makes no sense whatsoever) and squishous (very easy to squish).

Luke Kelly, md of the Roald Dahl Literary Estate, and Roald Dahl’s grandson, said: “Roald Dahl’s inventive, playful use of language is a key element to his writing, so it is wonderful to have this dictionary compiled with such expertise, passion, and wit.

“I hope it serves as a swashboggling source of inspiration for a whole new generation of storytellers.”

Dr Rennie told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “Children use Dahl’s words a lot in their own writing and also create words inspired by the way he built words.

“He sometimes pulled the syllables of words apart and rebuilt them, combined them, and we can see children doing that in their own writing.”

MORE NEWS
TfLlunchbox500x500
 
Designed by creative agency Crush Creative, the guide includes a set of colourful, illustrated assets that draw on TfL’s heritage and serve as a toolkit for licensees developing products for young audiences....
Tulipop500x500
 
Tulipop Studios - creator and owner of the Icelandic character-based Tulipop IP - is growing into new markets having secured a number of fresh deals....
YakkaDee500x500
 
Rachel Bardill and Liz Keynes - both well known and respected family and children's brand strategists - have come on board to further drive awareness for the preschool show....
AliceBurden500x500
 
In her new role, Alice will be responsible for steering and driving forward the strategic and creative direction of Toon2Tango, focusing on storytelling and creative development....
job
 
H&A is looking to further strengthen its team with the appointment of a supply chain planner....
SManners500x500
 
Industry trade body, Licensing International has responded to Labour's Budget from earlier this week, saying that moving forward 'beloved brands' will be more important than ever before in providing a point of difference....
Get the latest news sent to your inbox
Subscribe to our daily newsletter

The list doesn't exist! Make sure you have imported the list on the 'Manage List Forms' page.