talking dictionary
n.— «A few British bachelors developed liaisons with local lasses, usually tea-pickers. Such women were euphemistically—and imaginatively—called “talking dictionaries.” For she also helped to brush up the man’s knowledge of Tamil—a prerequisite then, as now, for advancement in a planter’s career.» —“Tea-time tricks” by George N. Netto Indian Express (Mumbai) June 14, 2005. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
Further reading
What if, instead of being an inanimate object, a dictionary were alive? That’s the idea behind a lavishly illustrated new children’s book called The Dictionary Story (Bookshop|Amazon) by Oliver Jeffers and Sam Winston. This is part of a...
In the 15th century, the word respair meant “to have hope again.” Although this word fell out of use, it’s among dozens collected in a new book of soothing vocabulary for troubled times. Plus, baseball slang: If a batter...