Foyle's Philavery: A Treasury of Unusual Words

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0550103295 ISBN 13: 9780550103291

Publisher: Chambers Harrap Pub Ltd, 2008

The word 'philavery' was specially invented to describe this book - a collection of words chosen simply on the grounds of their aesthetic appeal. Some of these words appeal because of their aptness, some for their obscurity, some for their euphony, and some for their quirkiness. As a collection they will be a delight to all word lovers.

About the Author:

Christopher Foyle is chairman of the world-famous Foyles bookshop in London's Charing Cross Road.

Review:

I happen to be one of those people who love these kinds of books, though unfortunately they frequently get lost in the melange of frippery that is located around the checkout counter at better bookstores. Anyway, Foyle, who happens to own such a bookstore in London, has collected a fair-sized book's worth of odd and distinctive words, his favourite of which is "kakistocracy, a system of government where the rulers are the least competent, least qualified or most unprincipled citizens"--a word we ought to use more frequently. -- The Morning News Book Digest 20080324 I have found many surprises in the Philavery -- I didn't know that alopecia literally means fox mange! -- Roddy Lumsden's Blog, www.booksfromscotland.com 20080324