The closest thing I ever found to a Perl dictonary was The Coriolis Group's Perl Black Book, which has served me well and saved my butt a few times. It's similar to O'Reilly's Perl cookbook, but a bit more for the beginner.
Unfortunately Coriolis is apparently out of business, so the only way to find these now is used.
All in all, the whole concept is an excellent idea to pursue, although I think you're right in that teaching in some particular context is perhaps a better slant than just another available reference.
There is no emoticon for what I'm feeling now.