Superior Person's Book of Words

The Superior Person's Book of Words is a lexicographic collection that presents rare, obsolete, and unusual words from the English language. Peter Bowler compiles these linguistic curiosities with definitions and usage examples for readers to discover and potentially incorporate into their vocabulary. The book has maintained steady popularity since its initial 1979 publication as The Superior Person's Little Book of Words in Australia. Its success led to five companion volumes and a comprehensive edition titled The Completely Superior Person's Book of Words in 2009, which combines the original work with two subsequent collections. This reference work serves as both an educational resource and a celebration of the English language's depth and complexity. The underlying premise explores how expanded vocabulary knowledge can enhance communication and understanding.

Readers appreciate the book's wit and humor in presenting obscure vocabulary. Many note it serves as an entertaining reference rather than a dry dictionary, with humorous example sentences that demonstrate word usage. What readers liked: - Amusing definitions and commentary - Organization by themed chapters - Practical applications for expanding vocabulary - Memorable example sentences What readers disliked: - Some words too obscure to be useful - Occasionally condescending tone - Limited practical value beyond entertainment - Focus on showing off rather than education Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (137 ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (31 ratings) One reader on Goodreads called it "a delightful bathroom book for word nerds," while another described it as "more of a novelty than a serious reference." An Amazon reviewer noted it "makes learning new words fun rather than tedious." Several readers mentioned keeping it on their desk as a conversation starter or source of amusement rather than a practical vocabulary builder.

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Reading the OED: One Man, One Year, 21,730 Pages by Ammon Shea A lexicographer's chronicle of reading the Oxford English Dictionary from start to finish, sharing discoveries of rare and extinct words.

The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester The story of the creation of the Oxford English Dictionary through the collaboration between its editor and a contributor writing from an asylum.

The Word Museum: The Most Remarkable English Words Ever Forgotten by Jeffrey Kacirk A collection of obsolete English words gathered from historical documents and arranged by themes of daily life.

🔤 The original 1979 edition contained only about half the number of words found in current editions 📚 Peter Bowler went on to write several other vocabulary-focused books including "Superior Person's Second Book of Words" and "Superior Person's Third Book of Words" 🎓 Bowler was a lecturer at the University of Sydney and developed the book from his academic interest in linguistic oddities 🗣️ Many of the words featured in the book are derived from Latin and Greek roots, reflecting the classical education common in earlier centuries 📖 The book gained a cult following among word enthusiasts and has been credited with helping preserve obscure terms that might otherwise have fallen completely out of use