Miss Thistlebottom's Hobgoblins: The Careful Writer's Guide to the Taboos, Bugbears and Outmoded Rules of English Usage

by Theodore M. Bernstein

Once you recall that Miss Thistlebottom was your elementary-school teacher who laid down all manner of taboos concerning the use of language, you will have an idea of what this book is about. In no sense permissive or radical, it topples the taboos that lack historical, logical or grammatical basis. It is a refreshing look at our living language, the perfect companion to the author's indispensable work, The Careful Writer.

Mr. Bernstein writes four letters to Miss Thistlebottom that divide the book into four sections: "Witchcraft in Words," "Syntax Scarecrows," "Imps of Idioms," and "Spooks of Style." Can there be more than two "alternatives"? You'll find the answer in the Words section. Can something "grow smaller"? Ditto. How about Split Infinitives: is it proper to ever split one? Is "none" invariably singular? Take a look in the Syntax section. Isn't it absurd to say "if worst comes to worst" rather than "if worse comes to worst" or to say "head over heels" rather than "heels over head"? The section on idioms will enlighten you on these "absurdities." And then, is a preposition a proper word to end a sentence with? The section on Style will show you that some authoritarians don't know what they are talking about and don't know what rules are for.

The scores and scores of entries in this book are crisp, lightly written and amply provided with illustrative material. They are designed to help anyone who writes anything--the student, the reporter, the copy editor, the professional writer-cast off the inhibitions and prohibitions that lack validity and cramp his writing style.

An Appendix includes some rare, out-of-print sources of some of the bogies: William Cullen Bryant's Index Expurgatorius for writers on the old New York Post, James Gordon Bennett's "Don't List" for writers on the old New York Herald and Ambrose Bierce's blacklist Write It Right.

Genres: Reference, Writing, Nonfiction, Language, Business

260 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1971

Reviews

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Miss Thistlebottom’s Hobgoblins was written (1971) before I was born. When I was in grad school (mid-1990s) for an English education degree, my professor would quote Bernstein at least once every class.

I can’t tell you why it took me so long to read this “classic” English usage book other than there are always more exciting FICTION (and even nonfiction) books to read, but Bernstein is engaging. How can he not be with a title like this? Miss Thistlebottom may well have been my 8th grade English teacher demanding correctness in “all right” written as two separate words along with “a lot.” “What we require is neither a language that is cramped nor a language gone wild” (xii).

Chapter titles are no less fun:

Witchcraft in Words (who doesn’t love alliteration? Rhetorical)

Syntax Scarecrows

Imps of Idioms

Spooks of Style

To the modern audience, Bernstein’s book likely will feel hidebound, but I found myself smiling at his creativity in explaining the taboos and bugbears of the English language.

[Jill Swanson-Diaz · Rating 4 out of 5]

If your a literary professional, writer or just a plain old grammar nerd, you'll enjoy this book of hobgoblins! It's full of interesting facts regarding the English language, laid out in a quirky and informational way. I enjoyed the author's way of speech and his ability to keep a reference guide entertaining. I definitely took away some great tools for my editing and writing in the future! That's the thing about the English language, there are always more tricks of the trade to tuck away into your arsenal! And most importantly, this book concentrates on getting back to the written word, instead of being stuck debating oppressive grammar rules.

[Craig Buck · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been a fan of Miss Thistlebottom (and Mr. Bernstein) since 1972. I've given this book as a gift a half-dozen times over the years. I still reach for it every so often to settle a usage question. It is both invaluable, irrepressibly witty, and seemingly ageless. Before writing this review, I went back into the well-thumbed pages of this book to make sure it had not been left in the wake of the three and a half decades since it was written. It stands as relevant as ever. A must-have for anyone who relishes the English language and takes joy in its quirks.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was purchased for my writing library and will be used to refer to as needed. I like the fact that it's not your traditional writing style/grammar book but quirky and original.

[Keith Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book to give any grammar snob who is a stickler for unnecessary and useless rules that have outlived their usefulness, if they were ever useful in the first place.

[Regine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining. A sensible stance amidst linguistic flux. A pesky hobgoblin apparently interfered with the proofreading. Bierce's appended "Write It Right: A Little Blacklist of Literary Faults" captures 1909 with acerbic precision.

[Marcy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This seems like a “must read” for copyeditors. It’s funny, which helps it go down, but I recommend using it like a dictionary rather than trying to read it straight through. It’s pretty out-dated now though, and if you need a current usage book, go for Garner’s.

[Paul Sundberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dated but useful, and often witty.

[Student · Rating 4 out of 5]

An expertly written guide for English language experts looking to hone their English language expertise. Spoiler alert: Sometimes confusing