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Wordcatcher: An Odyssey into the World of Weird and Wonderful Words
by
Phil Cousineau (Goodreads Author)
Who knew that the great country of Canada is named for a mistake? How about "bedswerver," the best Elizabethan insult to hurl at a cheating boyfriend? By exploring the delightful back stories of the 250 words in Wordcatcher, readers are lured by language and entangled in etymologies. Author Phil Cousineau takes us on a tour into the obscure territory of word orig...more
Paperback, 202 pages
Published
April 13th 2010
by Cleis Press
(first published March 15th 2010)
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For those of us who are nerds about words, this seems like a dream come true. The author treats the book like a dictionary of sorts, tracking the origin and etymology of several interesting, and not-so-interesting, words. As I thought, I was hooked by "Abracadabra" and started reading excitedly, even sharing some of the stories of weird words with friends. However, by the time I made my way to the "E"s, I was done. Only about one in every eight words actually have an interest...more
I gave up on this book in the As. This was my 1st book from the public library via Overdrive and I grabbed it as potentially interesting when we went to a training session at SCPL on how to get and use audiobooks from Overdrive/SCPL. No, this was not an audiobook version; it was print.
I ended up letting my checkout expire before writing this despite my intentions so my specific dislikes are going to be hard to frame. Bottom line, you might like it. I just found his style not to my liki...more
I ended up letting my checkout expire before writing this despite my intentions so my specific dislikes are going to be hard to frame. Bottom line, you might like it. I just found his style not to my liki...more
I got to go and hear him read this at my favorite Oakland bookstore (Mrs. Dalloway's!) It was a a great treat. It makes me want to quit my day job and travel and learn greek and tell stores to others. Maybe, god forbid, use my old English major to be a teacher rather than work in the basement of a bank? I think these are the kinds of things I will torment my children with - as once you know the story behind some words, it is hard to forget them. It's the kind of book I want to buy 10 copies ...more
- dastardly; a varmint of an adjective, a villainous word dressed up
in a black hat and handlebar mustache, signaling cowardly,
ignoble behavior.
- panache; effortless style, easy swagger.
- enigma; a secret, a riddle, a shadowy saying, a puzzling person.
I love words.
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This little gem of a book is a must-own for every writer, reader, word and language lover. It's charming, highly informative and evokes a sense of awe and gratitude for the richness of the journey our words have traveled.
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Recommended by NPR's Fresh Delivery: Indie Booksellers Pick 2010 Favorites
Carla
marked it as books-i-want
listed on NPR's best of 2010 books list, http://www.npr.org/2010/12/10/131788190/...
Ladiibbug
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Rec: Donna Brooks in email "NPR.org: Indie Booksellers' Best of 2010 Books"
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I heard this author on "New Dimensions". Can't wait to read!
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Phil Cousineau (born in 1952) is an author, lecturer, independent scholar, screenwriter, and documentary filmmaker.
Phil Cousineau was born in an army hospital in Columbia, South Carolina. He has worked as a sportswriter and taught screenwriting at the American Film Institute (AFI). American mythologist Joseph Campbell was a mentor and major influence; Cousineau wrote the documentary fi...more
More about Phil Cousineau...
Phil Cousineau was born in an army hospital in Columbia, South Carolina. He has worked as a sportswriter and taught screenwriting at the American Film Institute (AFI). American mythologist Joseph Campbell was a mentor and major influence; Cousineau wrote the documentary fi...more
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