The Language of Cities: A Glossary of Terms

"In a New Yorker profile in 1967, Charles Abrams was called 'an unabashed lover of cities.' His affection for urban life has inspired every line of every entry from a to Z in the Language of Cities. This is a lexicon of terms used by city-dwellers - be they tenant, landlord, schoolteacher, lawyer, tax-collector, builder, administrator, sociologist, urban planner, zoning-board member, or simple fanatic for new words or for new meanings for old words". (Architecture, Architecture, Glossary, Language, Reference).

This glossary identifies and defines approximately a thousand words, terms, and slang applied to city life. Three goals exist for this limited glossary: 1) identifying some of the most relevant urban terms for the expert and layman; 2) defining them simply and accurately, expanding on the definition where clarification is necessary; and, 3) adding the author's personal opinions or biases where he considers them useful and relevant.