A Barrel Full of Words: A Treasury of Wordplay

by Jim Wegryn

English is a funny language. Consider: Would you call church music organic? How come it's father, mother, brother, but not sisther? Why do doctors use a scalpel when they're not operating on your... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0595307302
• ISBN13: 9780595307302
• Release Date: January 2004
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Length: 108 Pages
• Weight: 0.37 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Wordplay Machinations and Madness!

For all those fascinated by the oddities and funny contradictionsinherent in the English language, this is a must read. The wordsdispensed, discussed, and dissected are not made up words or punsbased on spelling mishaps--every word is real and in the dictionary. The author's new definitions for old words make a lotmore sense than the dictionary--and are usually much funnier. Thisis a perfect bedside book whose parts can be read in any order.I recommend it highly.

WHAT FUN!

If you like words-and if you like to laugh-you'll enjoy "A Barrel Full of Words." We are all familiar with such collective nouns as "a pride of lions." Wegryn invents "a complex of psychiatrists" and "a mass of priests." He redefines words: "superintend" could mean "really, really mean to." And he makes us wonder about words: "Why is it father, mother, and brother, but not sisther?" After reading the book, you will find that you begin thinking like the author. You'll play with words and they'll play with you. What fun!