The word here is short and easy. Nota bene the subtitle, The Quick & Easy Guide to Sounding Smart & Cultured, and don't expect the O.E.D. Definitions are just a few words long; notes on usage are bratty and brief; pronunciation guides are easy to read and included on a need-to-know basis. The book's large font and generous page layout make it easy on the eyes, while the occasional black-and-white cartoon helps liven up the mix.

So whether you're searching for le mot juste, or just want to define it, we'd suggest you suspend your party circuit and consult The Instant Intellectual: easy enlightenment is within your grasp.--Elizabeth Briskin