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The Climbing Dictionary: Mountaineering Slang, Terms, Neologisms & Lingo: An Illustrated Reference
* 130 black-and-white illustrations
* A reference to more than 660 terms from climbers and mountaineers
* Perfect stocking stuffer!
In this hilarious yet authoritative illustrated lexicon of climbing terms and slang, former Climbing Editor-in-Chief Matt Samet has compiled a reference of more than 650 terms used by climbers and mountaineers around the world.
The Climbing Dictionary runs the gamut from technical terms (belay, harness, rappel, Stopper) to slang (dab, choking the cobra, gaston, old dad, pimpy), to regional (such as the South's "baby-butt" slopers), antiquated ("press-up"), and foreign terms that have achieved universal usage (au cheval, colonnette) and much more.
Each word's definition includes its part of speech, origin (if known), its meaning, and a humorous but factually sound example sentence to demonstrate usage. Throughout the dictionary, Mike Tea's illustrations -- both technical and humorous -- help explain harder-to-define terms such as piton, sling, cam, hand jam, or drop-knee.
Sure to become the reference -- or even the sicktionary -- for novice climbers and expert mountaineers alike.
Are you obsessed with "climbing-ese"? Know a term, back-story, or phrase that didn't make the book? Connect with Matt on climbingterms.com and check out newly submitted terms, submit your very own, and stay up to date on all things the Climbing Dictionary . While you're at it, be sure and"like" the Climbing Dictionary on Facebook, and follow Matt on Twitter.
* A reference to more than 660 terms from climbers and mountaineers
* Perfect stocking stuffer!
In this hilarious yet authoritative illustrated lexicon of climbing terms and slang, former Climbing Editor-in-Chief Matt Samet has compiled a reference of more than 650 terms used by climbers and mountaineers around the world.
The Climbing Dictionary runs the gamut from technical terms (belay, harness, rappel, Stopper) to slang (dab, choking the cobra, gaston, old dad, pimpy), to regional (such as the South's "baby-butt" slopers), antiquated ("press-up"), and foreign terms that have achieved universal usage (au cheval, colonnette) and much more.
Each word's definition includes its part of speech, origin (if known), its meaning, and a humorous but factually sound example sentence to demonstrate usage. Throughout the dictionary, Mike Tea's illustrations -- both technical and humorous -- help explain harder-to-define terms such as piton, sling, cam, hand jam, or drop-knee.
Sure to become the reference -- or even the sicktionary -- for novice climbers and expert mountaineers alike.
Are you obsessed with "climbing-ese"? Know a term, back-story, or phrase that didn't make the book? Connect with Matt on climbingterms.com and check out newly submitted terms, submit your very own, and stay up to date on all things the Climbing Dictionary . While you're at it, be sure and"like" the Climbing Dictionary on Facebook, and follow Matt on Twitter.
288 pages, Paperback
First published July 15, 2011
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68 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
June 3, 2019
Pretty useful. The mildly snarky tone makes it enjoyable to flip through, but it's mainly just a straightforward guide to the arcane climbing jargon that fills the pages of climbing mags. Redpointing, pinkpointing, arretes, couloirs, it's all in here. Recommend you keep it close if reading any 'technical' climbing literature.
As an aside, the author is a fairly well known climber who got addicted to benzos and had a harrowing recovery. His memoir, Death Grip, is worth a read.
As an aside, the author is a fairly well known climber who got addicted to benzos and had a harrowing recovery. His memoir, Death Grip, is worth a read.
January 6, 2022
Fun and interesting history on grear and terms. Well researched
October 4, 2011
Usually a "dictionary" is a boring, dry, reference book and nothing more. Not so with Climbing Dictionary. This book defines the basic terms that every climber should know - equipment, techniques - but it also explains the meaning and the story behind the lingo and slang terms commonly used among climbers.
Definitely a fun read and a must-have for any climber or anyone who knows a climber and wants to understand what in the heck they're talking about sometimes!
Definitely a fun read and a must-have for any climber or anyone who knows a climber and wants to understand what in the heck they're talking about sometimes!
September 7, 2011
A must-have for any rock climber or anyone who just wants to know what the heck climbers are talking about.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews