What in the Word by Charles Harrington Elster

This Book Is About

My Thoughts On This Book

This is a humorous book that answers common, pesky questions about the English language. Like, what’s the proper plural of ‘octopus’ (answer: octopods)?

I discovered What in the Word at Bluestocking Books here in San Diego one day. I accidentally got myself a signed copy, too because I didn’t realize the book on the fancy little stand at the front of the row was the signed edition; I’d just grabbed that one because it was easy to pull out and look at. So that was an interesting little surprise when I was at the register and the owner was exicted because I’d picked one of the copies the author had signed when he was at the store.

I’m always looking for new, interesting books on the English language and this one caught my eye because of it’s unusual question-and-answer format. All of the questions are from actual letters sent to the author and the answers are in simple, clear, conversational English – which makes for a fun read.

There are also several call-outs and boxed areas sprinkled throughout the text. They contain Fun Facts, quotes, little word quizzes for the reader, and other interesting information. For instance, the “Unfortunate Eponyms” box that covers pages 14&15 and lists several people’s names that have become words for bad things or unpleasant character traits; bowdlerize, Comstockery, martinet, etc.

If you’re a fan of the public radio show Way with Words you’ll enjoy What in the Word.

Chapter List

• Once Upon a Word
  Word histories, mysteries, hoaxes, and hype: sorting the tall tales from the truth
• A Slough of Solecisms
  Wherein the author leads you safely out of a morass of mistakes and misperceptions into the clear, comforting light of correct English
• The Grandiloquent Gumshoe
  Words recovered, discover, and devised
• The Elegance of Style
  Distinctions, clarifications, niceties, and other little things that make your language more polished and precise
• A Civil Tongue
  Wherein the author launders your pronunciation and presses you to speak with propriety and poise
• Born in the USA
  Some quintessentially American words and expressions, from ‘okay’ to ‘humongous’, with some other American stuff thrown in just for fun
• The Wonder of Words
  A fascinating farrago of word lore and wordplay that just didn’t fit anywhere else
• Answers to the Bodacious Brainteasers
• Sources Cited
• Index

Rating & Levels For This Book

I Give This Book 3 Vikings out of five	Violence Level 0 Burning Huts out of five	Romance Level 0 Hearts out of five
# of actual vikings in book: 0 What do these levels mean? ”	Humor Level 1 Smiles out of five	Lust Level 0 Kisses out of five

Author and Publishing Information For This Book

Author & Book Details Title: What in the Word? Wordplay, Word Lore, and Answers to Your Peskiest Questions about Language Author(s): Charles Harrington Elster ISBN#: 9780156031974 Genre(s): English language reference Edition Reviewed: First edition signed hardcover Illustrations: N/A Page Count: 304 Part of a Series: No

Publishing & Copyright Details Publisher(s): Harvest Original (a Harcourt imprint) Copyright: 2005 In Print: Yes Original Language: English Published in Other Languages: No Find a Local Book Store ”

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