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Word Perfect
Word Perfect: Curious Coinages and Etymological First Aid for Every Day of the Year | SUSIE. DENT
25 posts | 5 read | 8 to read
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review
Robotswithpersonality
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Pickpick

Fun!
I did this in five word bursts, sometimes multiple a day, rather than one a day to keep up with library loans period, but it was still marvelously diverting rather than overwhelming. I can't say I'll remember every word I learned about but I always enjoy etymological entertainment. 1/?

Robotswithpersonality A few things I didn't expect:
UK (English and Scottish) words I've never heard of.
Some entries actually include multiple words under the heading of one, and some entries fully admit that the original origin can only be guessed at.
Diving into word history also meant getting many snippets of world history in the bargain). 2/?
9mo
Robotswithpersonality Getting an Englishwoman's expansion on the origin of American English words occasionally made familiar words feel foreign, odd experience, especially where the whole British Empire colonialism in history came into play. Mostly, entries acknowledged the injustices in darker moments of history.
The book's 2020 publication date meant multiple references to COVID and Trump. 3/3
9mo
6 likes2 comments
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Robotswithpersonality
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This is my dear friend: testicle.
WTF! 🤣
August 14 The Dog's Bollocks entry is gold.

julesG 😂😂 9mo
8 likes1 comment
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Robotswithpersonality
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Try THAT one on today! 👀🫣

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Robotswithpersonality
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Language is a rebel. 💪🏻

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Robotswithpersonality
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I don't remember "I F'd your mom" dating back to Shakespeare coming up in English class. ? Probably why we did Hamlet instead of Titus Andronicus. Sidebar: Serious cognitive dissonance around seeing 'your mum' - UK version seems way more charming than North American 'yo mama'.

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Robotswithpersonality
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👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

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Robotswithpersonality
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Rarely been in a position to test hangover cures, but having a good cry sounds at least as anecdotally comforting as a greasy breakfast. 🤷🏼‍♂️😭🥹

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Robotswithpersonality
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📚 + 🌲= 🥰

Suet624 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 9mo
9 likes1 comment
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Robotswithpersonality
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Yes please. 😌☀️

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Robotswithpersonality
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When my eyes are watering and I'm searching for the Kleenex, it's good to know there might be a positive superstition involved.

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Robotswithpersonality
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Currently snudging, please leave a message.

Singout Will get back to you in March. 9mo
8 likes1 comment
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Robotswithpersonality
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The original Urban Dictionary.

Texreader Very cool. 10mo
11 likes1 stack add1 comment
blurb
jenniferw88
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review
jenniferw88
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Pickpick

Too many favourite authors to choose from, but I ❤ his Oscar Wilde Mysteries. #pop22

5 🌟 and read in time to hear her talk this evening!

@Cinfhen @4thhouseontheleft @Cortg @squirrelbrain @RaeLovesToRead @Kalalalatja @Laughterhp @KarenUK @Megabooks

Cinfhen Enjoy!!! Very cool 2y
squirrelbrain Enjoy the talk! 2y
Cortg WooHoo! 2y
AbigailJaneBlog I saw the talk a few weeks ago - it's so great! Hope you enjoy it 2y
shanaqui Ooh, I listen to her podcast with Gyles Brandreth, and have been pondering whether to pick up either of them's books. 2y
61 likes5 comments
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jenniferw88
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41 likes1 stack add
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nocto
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I must be on the nice list 🎅🏻 😍 Susie Dent‘s word of the day for Dec 25th is ‘confelicity‘, finding pleasure in the happiness of others. I hope all your Christmases are happy and bookish!

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WanderingBookaneer
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NovelGirl82 Well, that‘s descriptive😂 Update: The doc that I‘m working with today and I both appreciated this particular name/definition of this time period. We‘ve now chosen to use this, so thank you! (edited) 4y
Soubhiville 🤣😂🤣 4y
Leftcoastzen 😂 4y
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Hooked_on_books Well, I guess Merryneum goes along with Taintmas. So was this past year just 2020neum? 4y
LeahBergen I think I‘m going to go with “Taintmas”. 😂 4y
RaeLovesToRead 😂😂😂😳 4y
50 likes6 comments
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Cazxxx
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Are you superstitious? #friday13th

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TheEllieMo
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Better late than never - I‘ve been a bit busy...

1. Word Perfect by Susie Dent - “etymological entertainment for every day of the year”

2. Not yet.

#Two4Tuesday
@TheSpineView

TheSpineView Never too late! Thanks for playing! 😊👍🤩 4y
20 likes1 comment
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Cazxxx
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Cazxxx
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This arrived today 😍
Im such a lover of words I‘m always on the dictionary app looking up the meaning of words I don‘t know or finding new words
I intend to read it every day and hopefully learn something new ☺️

The_Penniless_Author Looks right up my alley. Do you happen to be a fan of the radio show 'A Way With Words' too? 4y
Cazxxx @The_Penniless_Author I don‘t actually listen to the radio but that sounds like something I would enjoy 4y
obviateit Etymology is my favorite! 😍 4y
Cazxxx @obviateit I recommend this book it‘s excellent! 4y
13 likes4 comments
review
veritysalter
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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I throughly enjoyed this guide through the etymology of common words and phrases. English is certainly a complex language, borrowing, stealing and corrupting words constantly. #NFN2020 #Book

Emilymdxn Your nfn progress is AMAZING verity! 4y
veritysalter It‘s the lockdown @Emilymdxn - I‘m only going out for the school run. 4y
54 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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veritysalter
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More Etymology from me: Pandemonium a word coined by Milton in ‘Paradise Lost‘ for the middle of hell. #TodayILearned #TIL #NFN2020

Sace I am forever grateful that etymology was a required class at my public high school. Tax dollars at work for the win! 4y
Clwojick ♥️♥️♥️ 4y
51 likes2 comments
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veritysalter
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A book full of etymology, and a word for every day of the year. Here‘s one for January 1st. #NFN2020 #TodayILearned #TIL

RedxoHearts I always loving learning new odd words 4y
Milara I like Susie Dent and her old, weird words. 4y
LeahBergen I‘m crambazzled! 😆 4y
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Sharpeipup That‘s a fun word! 4y
Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick I know a few crambazzled people. 4y
44 likes6 comments
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LoveToReadLiveToRead
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I follow Susie Dent on Twitter and love the forgotten words she shares. She has a book coming out, Word Perfect which I am definitely going to buy but had to feel for her when I saw this tweet, especially given the book‘s name. 🤦🏼‍♀️

squirrelbrain Oh no! 🤦‍♀️ 4y
Megabooks What a nightmare! 4y
35 likes2 comments