Samuel Johnson's Insults: A Compendium of Snubs, Sneers, Slights and Effronteries from the Eighteenth-Century Master

by Jack Lynch

Book Overview

Lackbrain, oysterwench, wantwit, clotpoll--Samuel Johnson's famous dictionary of 1755 contained some of the ripest insults in the English language. In Samuel Johnson's Insults, Jack Lynch has compiled... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0802714285
• ISBN13: 9780802714282
• Release Date: April 2004
• Publisher: Levenger Press
• Length: 113 Pages
• Weight: 0.52 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.3" x 7.3"

Customer Reviews

fantastic

should be required reading for all politicians-if we have to listen to them trading insults,they might, at least,be witty!

Beware of 'backfriends' Amusing

This is an amusing collection of the 'snubs, sneers, slights and effronteries' by the 'Great Cham'. Lynch arranges them in alphabetical order and adds his own interesting commentary on their origins. In writing for instance of 'backfriends' that is of friends who behind the back to others speak about their friend in ways not friendly at all. He tells us the story of Boswell's resentment of Hester Thrale whom Johnson gave more time with him, and his revenge on her by filling his 'Life of Johnson' with insulting remarks about her. These led her to say that if all friends are like Johnson one should have no friends at all. This is an amusing work especially for those who love the study of Language and all its unending varieties and duplicities.

Over three hundred of Samuel Johnson's nastier barbs

Over three hundred of Samuel Johnson's nastier barbs and their meanings are gathered from his various writings under one cover to appeal to modern readers seeking new ways of insulting. Quotes are often accompanied not just by definitions but insights into the source of the barb or quip, revealing further insights into Samuel Johnson's works and life as well. Samuel Johnson's Insults: A Compendium of Snubs, Sneers, Slights and Effronteries from the Eighteenth-Century Master is highly entertaining and enthusiastically recommended reading.

Classic Zingers

If you are at a loss for words when annoyed, read this. The insults are selected from Johnson's famous eighteenth century Dictionary of the English Language. Bet you never thought to call someone a jobbernowl or a moon-calf. Actually this is great for anyone who likes reading historic romances and is curious about some words used by the characters. Example: "rakehel - a wild, worthless, dissolute, debauched, sorry fellow." The book contains over 300 of these insults.