Mrs. Byrne's Dictionary of Unusual, Obscure, and Preposterous Words: Gathered from Numerous and Diverse Authoritative Sources

by Josefa Heifetz Byrne

Book Overview

First it must be known that all 6000 weird words lovingly compiled by Mrs. Byrne are "real" English words, legitimized by at least one major dictionary. That said, the inclusions are delightfully... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0821602039
• ISBN13: 9780821602034
• Release Date: September 1974
• Publisher: Carol Publishing Corporation
• Length: 242 Pages
• Weight: 1.06 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.3" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

Second time around

I'm so glad I've found another copy of this book. My friend "borrowed" mine that I've had for too many years to remember, and to this day won't fess up to having it although I've seen the signs...just means she has an inquiring mind as do I for quirky words. Can't wait to get it.

The most fun you can have with a book which isn't about sex!

I was given an earlier printing of this book when I first learned to read, and I think it has something to do with my childhood nickname of "Dictionary Breath." It has remained among my most treasured possessions! While some of the words don't really seem to merit an entry in this book over its a delightful collection. There are some words such as "grassation" (to lie in wait to attack) which are so incredibly useful I don't know why they aren't in more common circulation. I would like to see the etymology included, but speculating about a word's etymology and then looking it up elsewhere has become part of the game for me and my friends.

English is a very, very rich language.

This informative, well-researched, very interesting, unique reference presents the meaning of 6000 of the most outlandish, eccentric, and strange legitimate words that are part of our English language. Each word's definition is clearly and fully explained, complete with its pronunciation and sometimes even a reference to its language of origin. This comprehensive volume is a wonderful resource for trivia enthusiasts and people who just love words, language and slang, and it's perfect for offhanded browsing. So, if you want to know if you've ever jargogled, marmarized or edulcolated anything, if anyone you know is psittaceous, valgus or a gobemouche, or what a diplasiasmus, a krobylos or lares and penates are, then this is the book for you. Although most of the words contained in this volume are not fit for use in everyday conversations, this is still a fun way to discover new words with precise, astonishing and even outrageous meanings. Overall, this book is a delightful, entertaining source of curious words and intriguing terms just waiting to be found. --Reviewed by Maritza Volmar

Superlative, in a class by itself...

A wonderful resource for logophiles who have already searched through a standard unabridged dictionary. If you love words, you will love this book.

Sesquipedalian Verbotopia

My copy of Mrs. Byrne's Dictionary is, by far, the most dilapidated, dog-eared, written-upon and coffee-stained book now in my possession. It is not because I hate the book that I have so thoroughly destroyed it. It is, rather, the fact that I refer to it all the time, and take copious notes -- which wind up all over its pages. If you love words, this is the book I would recommend. You will find an inexhaustible supply of some of the most arcane and ludibund words in our language within these pages. A great gift for the rantallion in us all! Dave Beckwith Founder/President Charlotte Internet Society