Synopsis
Employs a lively question-and-answer format to illumine the origins of common words, the excesses of sports journalism, the most overused expressions, the advertising arsenal of adjectives, and other persnickety language matters. Original.
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Reviews
David Grambs, a skilled wordsmith with seven other language books on the shelf, draws the reader into his "own barking kennel of loud pet peeves" by discussing topics that range from slang and simplified spelling to sugarcoated terms in cereal advertisements and cinema superlatives. Under the heading of movie puffcorn, he provides a 450-word movie rave key: a four-column list designed to equip anyone as a reviewer of films playing at the local multiplex. He encourages the use of Latin phrases in daily speech for syllable economy, and for flavor offers some "French fr{{‚}e}Es," French words such as soign{{‚}e}E and d{{‚}e}Egag{{‚}e}E that when sprinkled in correctly are sure to impress others. Each of the 40 chapters in this collection begins with an unusual word of the week, defined succinctly, and a fitting quotation. The chapters are further unified by being deliberately salted with one misspelled word, which is revealed at the end of the following chapter. By offering generous examples, Grambs tries to help the reader make distinctions between passable and proper English. Jennifer Henderson
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Search results for Just Ask Mr. Wordwizard (Intrepid Linguist Library)
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Just Ask Mr. Wordwizard (Intrepid Linguist Library)
Published by
Laurel (edition ), 1995
ISBN 10: 0440217199
ISBN 13: 9780440217190
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Seller: BooksRun, Philadelphia, PA, U.S.A.
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Mass Market Paperback. Condition: Very Good. It's a well-cared-for item that has seen limited use. The item may show minor signs of wear. All the text is legible, with all pages included. It may have slight markings and/or highlighting. Seller Inventory # 0440217199-11-1
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Just Ask Mr. Wordwizard
Published by
Laurel Press January 1995, 1995
ISBN 10: 0440217199
ISBN 13: 9780440217190
Used
Mass Market Paperback
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Just Ask Mr. Wordwizard: Irresistible Inquiries, Grammatical Bones of Contention, Linguistic Mystseries & Miseries and Fascinating Facts About the English Language
Published by
Dell, 1995
ISBN 10: 0440217199
ISBN 13: 9780440217190
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Mass Market Paperback
First Edition
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Just Ask Mr. Wordwizard (Intrepid Linguist Library)
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Soft cover. Condition: As New. Unread, but a bit of shelf wear. Seller Inventory # 90901588
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Just Ask Mr. Wordwizard (Intrepid Linguist Library)
Seller: SZ Global, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Paperback. Condition: Collectible-Very Good. Discusses such topics as slang and simplified spelling, provides 450 words to use when reviewing a movie, offers French phrases to use for impressing people, and more. Seller Inventory # 9780440217190
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