Forgotten English: An Entertaining Collection of Obsolete Words and Literary Excerpts from Shakespeare to Dickens

Kacirk, Jeffrey

ISBN 10: 0688166369 / ISBN 13: 9780688166366

Published by William Morrow Paperbacks (edition ), 1999

About this Item

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 # 0688166369-11-6

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Forgotten English: An Entertaining Collection of Obsolete Words and Literary Excerpts from Shakespeare to Dickens
• Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks (edition )
• Publication Date: 1999
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0688166369
• ISBN 13: 9780688166366
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: Very Good

About this title

Synopsis

Have you ever sent a message via scandaroon, needed a nimgimmer, or fallen victim to bowelhive? Never heard of these terms? That's because they are a thing of the past. These words are alive and well, however, in Forgotten English, a charming collection of hundreds of archaic words, their definitions, and old-fashioned line drawings.

For readers of Bill Bryson, Henry Beard, and Richard Lederer, Forgotten English is an eye-opening trip down a delightful etymological path. Readers learn that an ale connor sat in a puddle of ale to judge its quality, that a beemaster informed bees of any important household events, and that our ancestors had a saint for hangover sufferers, St. Bibiana, a fact pertinent to the word bibulous. Each selection is accompanied by literary excerpts demonstrating the word's usage, from sources such as Shakespeare, Dickens, Chaucer, and Benjamin Franklin. Entertaining as well as educational, Forgotten English is a fascinating addition to word lovers' books.

About the Author

Jeffrey Kacirk is a research aficionado with a special love for antique dictionaries. He lives in Marin County, California.