Novísimo diccionario lunfardo (1913 - 1915). A lexicographic feuilleton in the Crítica newspaper

Abstract

In this paper, we aim to provide a preliminary description of the Novísimo diccionario lunfardo, based on the critical edition currently in progress of this material (Conde & Bohrn, in preparation). The Novísimo diccionario lunfardo emerges as a dictionary published in installments in the Crítica newspaper between September 1913 and January 1915, gathering more than two thousand seven hundred entries identified by its author as lunfardo units. Although it does not adhere to the genre's conventions, being a piece of humorous and ironic material, its documentary value lies in portraying a moment in the historical development of the Rioplatense slang. Hence, in this article, we will analyze the general structure of the dictionary and the characteristics of its definitions. We will also survey the word formation processes evidenced therein. Beyond its playful resources and literary value, the Novísimo documents a series of units in the initial stage of lunfardo's development, so a formal review of its content will allow for the dating and deepening of numerous elements of the colloquial speech of Argentinians.