A "sleeping dictionary" is a term used to describe a person who gains a "new language (L2)" and culture by being in a romantic relationship with someone who doesn't speak your native language, L1.
See the movie "Sleeping Dictionary" 2001.
A young and naive Englishman, John Truscott , goes to the British colony of Sarawak, Borneo to try and apply his father's work to the Iban society. There he meets his boss Henry Bullard and his wife Aggie Bullard . John tries to civilize them, building schools and providing education for the Iban people. He is met with unfamiliar local customs. Selima becomes his "sleeping dictionary," who sleeps with him and teaches him the language and the habits of the locals.
A young and naive Englishman, John Truscott , goes to the British colony of Sarawak, Borneo to try and apply his father's work to the Iban society. There he meets his boss Henry Bullard and his wife Aggie Bullard . John tries to civilize them, building schools and providing education for the Iban people. He is met with unfamiliar local customs. Selima becomes his "sleeping dictionary," who sleeps with him and teaches him the language and the habits of the locals.
by CatinTurkey April 29, 2013
Get the Sleeping Dictionarymug. by Iwantfrineds December 22, 2020
Get the Urban Dictionarymug. A site where people look for dirty definitions of everything and also look for funny things to say to their friends
by Jordan_Gymnast77 September 17, 2016
Get the The Urban Dictionarymug. Also can be thought of as, "u r ban Dictionary". Assumed subconscious, subtle action on UD's part to get readers (read: possible government investigators) to believe they're participating in something taboo-like. Notice the logo on the top left; "ban" is raised for a reason.
by Inys June 23, 2009
Get the ban Dictionarymug. If it existed, it some would say it to be the exact opposite of Urban Dictionary. In reality, Urban Dictionary is just a subset of a truly Urbane Dictionary, ideally conceived.
One would perhaps not expect to find offensive slang, misspellings or incorrect grammar in the Urbane Dictionary. Urban Dictionary however? Par for the course, old boy. The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) is quite urbane, though congnizant of urban slang. A good, truly urbane dictionary, however, would not seek to be prescriptive, it would faithfully report usage, both vulgar and sublime, without overt judgement or censorship. Thus, the OED and Urban Dictionary truly need each other, in the grand scheme of things.
by JJR1971 February 5, 2007
Get the urbane dictionarymug. An online slang dictionary in which approximately 80% of all words and definitions are sexually related.
by Anonymous February 17, 2003
Get the urban dictionarymug. Mostly people who just want to share their ridiculous slang words, to enhance the English language.
However; often used as a way for jealous or angsty people to post hate towards whom ever they wish with impunity (by way of anonymity). Examples can be found in posts for almost all stereotypes (hip, goth, emo, rocker, skater. etc), almost all nationalities, bands or music groups, and basically any thing that anyone could feel threatened by. When searching for a hate message or angst filled reply, look for the following:
- The entire entry written in first person form from the poster. Often in a way that makes the poster seem superior to the crowd they are defining
ie>
"(insert defined group here): hello nice day were having
(insert poster here): Fuck you (defined group here), your not (positive adjective)!"
- A lack of any real knowledge on the subject other than that already known to the general public. Also contains a combination of personal opinions in as a fact on the topic matter.
ie>
"Britney spears sucks and she can't sing. Blond haired bimbo whos music is awful and whos followers don't know sh*t."
- Anyone who writes anything claiming to know the real truth. Most common in music postings. It's a way of saying mainstream or well known artists or opinions are always bad/wrong. The argument can't be maintained since music is a personal choice and as such how good or bad any piece of music is can only be determined by the individual.
ie>
"50 Cent blows and only if you listen to MF Doom you are sick."
"If you like Pulp fiction and have never even heard of Trainspotting your obviously don't know shit."
- Politics coming into play. For a definition politics play no bearing, only the represented fact. Even while describing politically charged term no politics should be permitted to taint the description.
ie>
"Neocons want to destory the whole world with their wars and military industrial complex."
opposed with,
"Neocons are often pro war and defend establishment and maintenance of the military industrial complex."
- Lastly; Racism. Avoid it. People can't help how they are born, make fun of them for choice they do make.
ie>
"Fuck (insert race/gender/colour/sexual orientation/looks/height/or anything genetically predisposed)"
There is hope though. As an Urban dictionary poster, you can avoid all of the aforementioned pitfalls by just following these easy rules:
1) Don't assume your better than anyone else.
2) Write down what you know and don't speculate on anything.
3) Exclude your personal opinion.
4) Use a spell check.
Knowledge is power. Misinformation is cancer.
However; often used as a way for jealous or angsty people to post hate towards whom ever they wish with impunity (by way of anonymity). Examples can be found in posts for almost all stereotypes (hip, goth, emo, rocker, skater. etc), almost all nationalities, bands or music groups, and basically any thing that anyone could feel threatened by. When searching for a hate message or angst filled reply, look for the following:
- The entire entry written in first person form from the poster. Often in a way that makes the poster seem superior to the crowd they are defining
ie>
"(insert defined group here): hello nice day were having
(insert poster here): Fuck you (defined group here), your not (positive adjective)!"
- A lack of any real knowledge on the subject other than that already known to the general public. Also contains a combination of personal opinions in as a fact on the topic matter.
ie>
"Britney spears sucks and she can't sing. Blond haired bimbo whos music is awful and whos followers don't know sh*t."
- Anyone who writes anything claiming to know the real truth. Most common in music postings. It's a way of saying mainstream or well known artists or opinions are always bad/wrong. The argument can't be maintained since music is a personal choice and as such how good or bad any piece of music is can only be determined by the individual.
ie>
"50 Cent blows and only if you listen to MF Doom you are sick."
"If you like Pulp fiction and have never even heard of Trainspotting your obviously don't know shit."
- Politics coming into play. For a definition politics play no bearing, only the represented fact. Even while describing politically charged term no politics should be permitted to taint the description.
ie>
"Neocons want to destory the whole world with their wars and military industrial complex."
opposed with,
"Neocons are often pro war and defend establishment and maintenance of the military industrial complex."
- Lastly; Racism. Avoid it. People can't help how they are born, make fun of them for choice they do make.
ie>
"Fuck (insert race/gender/colour/sexual orientation/looks/height/or anything genetically predisposed)"
There is hope though. As an Urban dictionary poster, you can avoid all of the aforementioned pitfalls by just following these easy rules:
1) Don't assume your better than anyone else.
2) Write down what you know and don't speculate on anything.
3) Exclude your personal opinion.
4) Use a spell check.
Knowledge is power. Misinformation is cancer.
A lot of posts on Urban Dictionary could be re-written or deleted off this web site. Specifically anything which doesn't add anything to a definition.
by iRant May 6, 2009
Get the Urban Dictionarymug.