The correct usage for more than 2,500 commonly misused words is provided in this concise and accessible handbook that assures, insures, and ensures that anyone who wants to communicate accurately and effectively chooses the right word every time. Arranged alphabetically in pairs (or threes when appropriate), entries are carefully cross-referenced and explained with a sentence, guaranteeing that readers find boycott, even when they look up embargo first. Two dozen accompanying cartoons humorously clarify confusing distinctions between words, making this a fun reference for all word lovers to enjoy.
Even good writers sometimes find the right word elusive. Or is it illusive? The correct usage for more than 2,000 words that people commonly misuse is provided in this concise and accessible handbook that assures, insures, and ensures that anyone who wants to communicate accurately and effectively chooses the right word every time. Arranged alphabetically in pairs (or threes when appropriate), entries are carefully explained with a sentence that illustrates correct usage and cross-referenced to ensure that readers find, for example, boycott, even when they look up embargo first. Two dozen cartoons by Argentinian illustrator Santiago Cornejo (Corne) humorously clarify confusing distinctions between words and make this a fun reference for all word lovers to enjoy.
“We think of English as a fortress to be defended, but a better analogy is to think of English as a child. We love and nurture it into being, and once it gains gross motor skills, it starts going exactly where we don’t want it to go: it heads right for the goddamned electrical sockets.” With wit and irreverence, lexicographer Kory Stamper cracks open the obsessive world of dictionary writing, from the agonizing decisions about what to define and how to do it to the knotty questions of ever-changing word usage. Filled with fun facts—for example, the first documented usage of “OMG” was in a letter to Winston Churchill—and Stamper’s own stories from the linguistic front lines (including how she became America’s foremost “irregardless” apologist, despite loathing the word), Word by Word is an endlessly entertaining look at the wonderful complexities and eccentricities of the English language.
Provides straightforward information about American-English word usages, spelling, grammar, and punctuation, in an up-to-date guide that provides etymologies for common terms and phrases, word lore, and discussions of why certain rules are disputed by usage authorities. 15,000 first printing.
A comprehensive disctionary of common misusages illustrates the right way and the wrong way to use language and explores why dictionaries do not always provide the correct meaning or usage of a word.
The Dictionary of Worthless Words recognizes that concise writing is paramount. This quick reference enables writers to conquer verbiage, delete pointless words and phrases, and elevate e-mails, essays, memoranda, personal letters, press releases, and speeches to a new level of clarity. The many examples of delete-worthy words will enable writers to avoid them in advance and prevent their prose from becoming clumsy and unclear.
With more than 1,200 terms, this A to Z dictionary is a hard-hitting, politically savvy translation of all those evasions, put-on-holds, distortions, circumventions, obfuscations, and misleading terms used by government, businesses, and the media.
“Dictionary, n: A malevolent literary device for cramping the growth of a language and making it hard and inelastic. This dictionary, however, is a most useful work.” Bierce’s groundbreaking Devil’s Dictionary had a complex publication history. Started in the mid-1800s as an irregular column in Californian newspapers under various titles, he gradually refined the new-at-the-time idea of an irreverent set of glossary-like definitions. The final name, as we see it titled in this work, did not appear until an 1881 column published in the periodical The San Francisco Illustrated Wasp. There were no publications of the complete glossary in the 1800s. Not until 1906 did a portion of Bierce’s collection get published by Doubleday, under the name The Cynic’s Word Book—the publisher not wanting to use the word “Devil” in the title, to the great disappointment of the author. The 1906 word book only went from A to L, however, and the remainder was never released under the compromised title. In 1911 the Devil’s Dictionary as we know it was published in complete form as part of Bierce’s collected works (volume 7 of 12), including the remainder of the definitions from M to Z. It has been republished a number of times, including more recent efforts where older definitions from his columns that never made it into the original book were included. Due to the complex nature of copyright, some of those found definitions have unclear public domain status and were not included. This edition of the book includes, however, a set of definitions attributed to his one-and-only “Demon’s Dictionary” column, including Bierce’s classic definition of A: “the first letter in every properly constructed alphabet.” Bierce enjoyed “quoting” his pseudonyms in his work. Most of the poetry, dramatic scenes and stories in this book attributed to others were self-authored and do not exist outside of this work. This includes the prolific Father Gassalasca Jape, whom he thanks in the preface—“jape” of course having the definition: “a practical joke.” This book is a product of its time and must be approached as such. Many of the definitions hold up well today, but some might be considered less palatable by modern readers. Regardless, the book’s humorous style is a valuable snapshot of American culture from past centuries. This book is part of the Standard Ebooks project, which produces free public domain ebooks.
Here's the perfect answer to the question "How can I look it up in the dictionary if I can't spell it?" Created by the editors of Webster's New World, this handy dictionary alphabetically lists the most common misspellings of more than 15,000 frequently used words, and gives the correct spellings in easy-to-read boldface type. Brief definitions help distinguish among the different meanings of many words. Readers are aided by syllable divisions that make it easier to remember the correct spelling, tips on becoming a better speller, and useful advice on avoiding common causes of misspellings. Easy-to-read page design helps readers quickly find the information they need. And now, many new words have been added, including many difficult technology terms, to make this the most up-to-date misspeller's guide available.
