Learn the Lingo

Speaking of such illicit matters, do you know what a gaffus is? How about a schmecker? Soon-to-be author Mr. Escobar probably knows.

And you would too, if you read Talk the Talk: The Slang of 65 American Subcultures. This cool little book has more than 3,500 slang terms in the vernacular of everything from punk rockers, to surfers, to hunters, to carnival workers, to magicians, to prisoners, to truckers, to UFO believers. And many more.

For writers, it’s probably well worth the $14.99 cover price for those moments when you want to work in a bit of realistic dialogue.