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Absurd Words: A kids' fun and hilarious vocabulary builder and back to school gift
Why use boring old words when you can expand and build your vocabulary―and have fun doing it! A user-friendly, engaging book about the power of words―perfect for educators, parents, and future word nerds. Build confidence and become a stronger reader, writer, and communicator! This fun and hilarious vocabulary Kids with strong vocabularies are better readers, better writers, and even feel more confident tackling math and science. When a kid wants to learn a new word, we often send them to the dictionary or a thesaurus. But dictionaries only work if you know exactly the word you want. This dictionary-thesaurus hybrid is organized by theme and puts words in context with fun, engaging and hilarious sentences, pictures, and fun facts. You'll learn what words mean and then actually use them!
320 pages, Paperback
First published January 2, 2022
17 people are currently reading
164 people want to read
About the author
Tara Lazar
18 books324 followersStreet magic performer. Award-winning ice sculptor. Hog-calling champion. These are all things Tara Lazar has never been. Instead, she writes stories for children featuring quirky characters and hilarious happenings. Tara writes the 7 ATE 9 series of picture books from Little Brown, illustrated by Ross MacDonald. Her next book is BLOOP, about an alien who comes to conquer earth but thinks the dogs are in charge! Tara lives in New Jersey with her husband, two daughters, and an adopted stray cat named Phoebe who thinks she is in charge of the planet. Visit Tara online to read about all her books at taralazar.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
October 6, 2022
I couldn't resist checking out this book once I heard about it from a fellow blogger.
Here's the pitch: "There are over a million words in the English language, but the average person only uses 2%(for the math-challenged among us, that's 20,000---doesn't seem like much, does it?) of them! Why use those boring old words everyone else uses when you can expand and build your vocabulary---and have fun doing it!"
And what do I think?
I was happy to see that I know most of the words (after all the target audience is kids, not grownups, like me). Still there is a solid 10% of words that are new-to-me, and that's nice.
Would a kid actually have fun learning these words? I would say a big Yes to that. The words are quirky and fun to say and have fun illustrations and have fun meanings. A random sampling? Mayhem...switcheroo...earworm...simpatico...persnickety...piffle...even quirky itself...so, fun, right?
I believe I need to pick out a few to add to my personal word bank.
Scofflaw (SKAWF-law) noun.
A person who repeatedly breaks rules or laws.
Taradiddle (tar-uh-DID-l) noun.
A tiny lie or fib.
Coxcomb (KOKS-kohm) noun.
Someone who thinks a lot of himself and struts around like a rooster.
Clishmaclaver (KLISH-muh-klay-ver) noun.
Gossip.
To help me remember these wonderful new words, I'll associate them all with a recent American political figure who I do not care for, despite my attempt to live by Jesus' admonition to "love your enemies." I'll keep this person anonymous but I'm sure you can fill in the blank with the name of a political figure you do not care for...surely we all have such a person in mind, no matter what our political beliefs are.
____________________ is a scofflaw and a coxcomb who uses taradiddles and clishmaclaver to get his way in politics.
Here's the pitch: "There are over a million words in the English language, but the average person only uses 2%(for the math-challenged among us, that's 20,000---doesn't seem like much, does it?) of them! Why use those boring old words everyone else uses when you can expand and build your vocabulary---and have fun doing it!"
And what do I think?
I was happy to see that I know most of the words (after all the target audience is kids, not grownups, like me). Still there is a solid 10% of words that are new-to-me, and that's nice.
Would a kid actually have fun learning these words? I would say a big Yes to that. The words are quirky and fun to say and have fun illustrations and have fun meanings. A random sampling? Mayhem...switcheroo...earworm...simpatico...persnickety...piffle...even quirky itself...so, fun, right?
I believe I need to pick out a few to add to my personal word bank.
Scofflaw (SKAWF-law) noun.
A person who repeatedly breaks rules or laws.
Taradiddle (tar-uh-DID-l) noun.
A tiny lie or fib.
Coxcomb (KOKS-kohm) noun.
Someone who thinks a lot of himself and struts around like a rooster.
Clishmaclaver (KLISH-muh-klay-ver) noun.
Gossip.
To help me remember these wonderful new words, I'll associate them all with a recent American political figure who I do not care for, despite my attempt to live by Jesus' admonition to "love your enemies." I'll keep this person anonymous but I'm sure you can fill in the blank with the name of a political figure you do not care for...surely we all have such a person in mind, no matter what our political beliefs are.
____________________ is a scofflaw and a coxcomb who uses taradiddles and clishmaclaver to get his way in politics.
January 19, 2022
Review coming up
January 27, 2022
A fun and fact-filled sojourn into the world of unusual words and how to make speaking and writing more fun. Think: a thesaurus and dictionary for middle graders. This volume is filled with colorful illustrations, word origins, popular culture references, and historical tidbits arranged in easy, accessible categories.
If you or someone you know aspires to write with originality and panache, grab a copy of this informative and entertaining book that should be part of every classroom writing program.
If you or someone you know aspires to write with originality and panache, grab a copy of this informative and entertaining book that should be part of every classroom writing program.
August 19, 2021
Pretty Neat
This certainly isn't just a vocabulary workbook, but at first it seemed likely to be a dressed up, chatty, funsy, version of a workbook aimed mostly at kids who were already interested in, (or assigned), vocabulary building. Well, no. The book is way more interesting and fun than that.
The introduction, aimed at kid readers, urges them to think outside the box and occasionally reach for the unusual or socko word in order to add zip and variety to their writing and conversation. The idea is that there are lots of neat words out there and it's fun to use them. That's a swell idea, but the best part is that the book actually effectively sells the idea and engages the young reader.
The book worked, at least for me, on two levels. First, it is presented in an idiosyncratic yet surprisingly effective manner. Chapters aren't organized along predictable lines. Instead, chapters collect words based on goofy themes. So "Itchy Feet" is about travel and journey words. ""Hey, Sherlock" covers mysteries and secrets. "Turn It Up" addresses the cool, hip, and funky. And so on, for over thirty chapters.
The second surprise was in the surprising content found in the numerous sidebars sprinkled throughout the book. Those sidebars were loosely categorized as "the Roots", "Pop Culture", and "Level Up". "Roots" explains how certain words came to be. "Pop Culture" addresses how certain words became embedded in particular cultural events or eras. "Level Up" is a deeper dive into etymology, and will reward even the seasoned adult reader with a few amusing insights.
The upshot is that this was both entertaining and educational, and as inspirational, (one hopes), as promised. Great for "word nerds" of course, but likely to also be of greater and wider appeal than I initially expected. A wonderful find.
(Please note that I received a free advance will-self-destruct-in-x-days Adobe Digital copy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)
This certainly isn't just a vocabulary workbook, but at first it seemed likely to be a dressed up, chatty, funsy, version of a workbook aimed mostly at kids who were already interested in, (or assigned), vocabulary building. Well, no. The book is way more interesting and fun than that.
The introduction, aimed at kid readers, urges them to think outside the box and occasionally reach for the unusual or socko word in order to add zip and variety to their writing and conversation. The idea is that there are lots of neat words out there and it's fun to use them. That's a swell idea, but the best part is that the book actually effectively sells the idea and engages the young reader.
The book worked, at least for me, on two levels. First, it is presented in an idiosyncratic yet surprisingly effective manner. Chapters aren't organized along predictable lines. Instead, chapters collect words based on goofy themes. So "Itchy Feet" is about travel and journey words. ""Hey, Sherlock" covers mysteries and secrets. "Turn It Up" addresses the cool, hip, and funky. And so on, for over thirty chapters.
The second surprise was in the surprising content found in the numerous sidebars sprinkled throughout the book. Those sidebars were loosely categorized as "the Roots", "Pop Culture", and "Level Up". "Roots" explains how certain words came to be. "Pop Culture" addresses how certain words became embedded in particular cultural events or eras. "Level Up" is a deeper dive into etymology, and will reward even the seasoned adult reader with a few amusing insights.
The upshot is that this was both entertaining and educational, and as inspirational, (one hopes), as promised. Great for "word nerds" of course, but likely to also be of greater and wider appeal than I initially expected. A wonderful find.
(Please note that I received a free advance will-self-destruct-in-x-days Adobe Digital copy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)
January 23, 2022
Princess Fuzzypants here: I think this book is improperly titled. It is not Absurd Words. It should be wonderful, delightful, fun, articulate… you get my drift. In a time when the mostly commonly used adjective, adverb and verb is a word not used in polite company, this book is overdue. I lament at the paucity of colourful and evocative language. Where are the people like Winston Churchill of whom it was quipped when he became Prime Minister : the English Language has gone to war. Wordsmiths, alas, are in short supply. Anything that can be done to resurrect and expand the long lost art is to be commended.
Language is a living thing. It is never stagnant as words fall in and out of fashion. But it would be a shame if some perfectly wonderful words were lost from lack of use. The book is anything but a dry academic tome. It is written with tongue in cheek and will introduce the young writer to some expressive words. Perhaps it should be required reading for creative writing classes.
Absurd- no. Enlightening and educational- yes. Five purrs and two paws up.
Language is a living thing. It is never stagnant as words fall in and out of fashion. But it would be a shame if some perfectly wonderful words were lost from lack of use. The book is anything but a dry academic tome. It is written with tongue in cheek and will introduce the young writer to some expressive words. Perhaps it should be required reading for creative writing classes.
Absurd- no. Enlightening and educational- yes. Five purrs and two paws up.
January 17, 2022
I love how this book goes right into explaining words and why it's great to always learn more. They make the thought of learning new words fun and exciting right from the start. They have so many different categories of words keeping it fun and interesting throughout. They include stories explaining the roots of some words, fun and quirky trivia, and pop culture information. I love how each word gives the breakdown on how to say it, the definition, and a sentence. One of my favorite categories was the crashwords section. As an adult I learned a bunch of words reading it and can't wait to give it to my kids. I know my son will love adding to his vocabulary and spreading his word knowledge. Absolutely recommend this book for kids and even adults. The illustration and colors really keep your attention.
February 7, 2022
So much fun. My 12-year-old loves exploring unusual words in here. I do too!
February 20, 2022
Goodbye, boring vocabulary flash cards! This book uses vibrant design, a mixture of serious and silly words, and sidebars full of fascinating background info to make learning vocabulary fun and exciting.
January 25, 2022
This is indeed a fun word builder and Tara's sense of humor shines on every page with the list of words that she has collected. Every word is fun from cacophony to switcheroo to pandiculation this book will definitely build your vocabulary in ways you didn't know you needed!
February 14, 2022
this type of book is right up my alley. Reviewing it for raincoast books is just FUN! I received an ARC version of this fantastic tome.
If you are raising a word nerd, if you ARE a word nerd, or just simply want to be inspired, pick up Absurd Words today! you'll find yourself Laughing, being surprised, expanding your word knowledge and usage. Throughout it, all, be delighted as you have fun following words from one place to the next. Find new words you can use to influence those around you (or confuse them if you must!). :)
You'll find words defined, synonyms provided, pronunciation help.
History, charts, comparison, wordplay, great illustrations and more are found within the pages.
a fantastically fun read, join others in your word nerdiness.
If you are raising a word nerd, if you ARE a word nerd, or just simply want to be inspired, pick up Absurd Words today! you'll find yourself Laughing, being surprised, expanding your word knowledge and usage. Throughout it, all, be delighted as you have fun following words from one place to the next. Find new words you can use to influence those around you (or confuse them if you must!). :)
You'll find words defined, synonyms provided, pronunciation help.
History, charts, comparison, wordplay, great illustrations and more are found within the pages.
a fantastically fun read, join others in your word nerdiness.
January 14, 2022
What a fantabulous resource! Every page has better words than the last!
December 30, 2021
I really like the tone of this book: “Words are amazing things! After all, without them you wouldn’t be able to read this sentence.” states the first sentence.
The writing is exuberant, lighthearted, and friendly. There’s plenty of white space and just a few words on each page. Each word entry includes part of speech, pronunciation, a sentence showing it used in context, and some synonyms. There are fun illustrations and some information about word origins and current pop culture uses. Rather than alphabetically, the entries are arranged thematically, which is way more intriguing: travel, mysteries, superlatives, etc.
The book itself is about the size of a fancy journal and has a slightly kid-made zine feel to it, which adds appeal.
There were a few drawbacks: First, it’s pretty fat, so it looks potentially overwhelming. It was a while before I felt ready to crack it open. When I did, however, I found myself reading much more than I planned to. It’s entertaining! Second, although the introduction mentions 1,000 new words being added to the dictionary each year, a significant portion of the words featured in this book are very old. Will kids who use them sound cool or fuddy duddy?
The writing is exuberant, lighthearted, and friendly. There’s plenty of white space and just a few words on each page. Each word entry includes part of speech, pronunciation, a sentence showing it used in context, and some synonyms. There are fun illustrations and some information about word origins and current pop culture uses. Rather than alphabetically, the entries are arranged thematically, which is way more intriguing: travel, mysteries, superlatives, etc.
The book itself is about the size of a fancy journal and has a slightly kid-made zine feel to it, which adds appeal.
There were a few drawbacks: First, it’s pretty fat, so it looks potentially overwhelming. It was a while before I felt ready to crack it open. When I did, however, I found myself reading much more than I planned to. It’s entertaining! Second, although the introduction mentions 1,000 new words being added to the dictionary each year, a significant portion of the words featured in this book are very old. Will kids who use them sound cool or fuddy duddy?
January 3, 2022
I'm a huge word nerd. I read the entire dictionary when I was 13. But Tara Lazar makes learning new words fun and engaging. She includes details on how to pronounce each word, what they mean, and kid-friendly examples of how they're used in a sentence. She also includes the roots for many of the words that are succinct and helpful. My eight-year-old is a budding word nerd herself, and she absolutely loves this book.
December 21, 2021
Absurd Words: A Kids' Fun and Hilarious Vocabulary Builder for Future Word Nerds by Tara Lazar is currently scheduled for release on January 2 2022. This is a dictionary-thesaurus hybrid, a user-friendly, engaging book about the power of words. Grouped into themes (“word squads”) and paired with pop culture, etymology, and history facts, readers explore not only what the words in the book mean, but where they came from, uses in pop culture, how to use them! To go even further, readers are encouraged to create their own words (“crashwords”), anagrams, and more.
Absurd Words is full of great information and vocabulary. I like that the book pointed out that the English language borrows heavily from other language, and that is always evolving. New words are made, some go out of fashion, and some shift meaning drastically. I was very glad to see the pronunciation included, as someone that knows the meaning of more words than they can correctly pronounce thanks to reading and some years of latin, it was good to double check my instincts on some of the words. I did learn a few words in the book, which is always nice. The extra bits of information, including pop culture references and information about the roots and history of certain words, were interesting and help keep readers engaged. I thought it was well organized and can stand up to a straight read through, browsing, and as a reference resource for readers looking for just the right word.
Absurd Words is full of great information and vocabulary. I like that the book pointed out that the English language borrows heavily from other language, and that is always evolving. New words are made, some go out of fashion, and some shift meaning drastically. I was very glad to see the pronunciation included, as someone that knows the meaning of more words than they can correctly pronounce thanks to reading and some years of latin, it was good to double check my instincts on some of the words. I did learn a few words in the book, which is always nice. The extra bits of information, including pop culture references and information about the roots and history of certain words, were interesting and help keep readers engaged. I thought it was well organized and can stand up to a straight read through, browsing, and as a reference resource for readers looking for just the right word.
December 27, 2021
A fantastic book aimed at kids to help them expand their vocabulary in an engaging manner. Words are grouped into categories to help tell a story and make them more memorable. Word roots and pop culture references are peppered with illustrations as colorful and myriad as the words defined in this text. Literary references entice young readers to potentially explore new genres and a helpful index makes looking up words super simple. Great gift for a future spelling bee champ or young bibliophile.
October 17, 2021
This was a very successful expanded word list for the curious and young – lots of peculiar words that sound unlikely, prehistoric, cool or plain bizarre, grouped by subject. Every one gets a pronunciation hint, a definition and a sentence putting them in context. Some get a sidebar on where the word comes from, or how your parents made the word famous by watching animated TV turtles saying it a lot (for example), and it is sometimes a bit annoying that scrolling through this those sidebars came to my attention before the actual words in question, but that's by the by and is no major problem.
Coming to this from the UK it was very pleasing to see this would be a valid purchase outside North America. Yes, it has a few words we very seldom, if ever, use, like 'stemwinder' as a superlative of its kind, and yes, now and again the pronunciation was pointing to a way of speaking not common to Britain (their way with 'fracas' is most alien indeed), but the strike rate was strong. It's a little shame we only get three or four words on many a page, and sometimes much less, so this isn't as exhaustive as things might suggest, but this was a fine achievement in my mind.
Coming to this from the UK it was very pleasing to see this would be a valid purchase outside North America. Yes, it has a few words we very seldom, if ever, use, like 'stemwinder' as a superlative of its kind, and yes, now and again the pronunciation was pointing to a way of speaking not common to Britain (their way with 'fracas' is most alien indeed), but the strike rate was strong. It's a little shame we only get three or four words on many a page, and sometimes much less, so this isn't as exhaustive as things might suggest, but this was a fine achievement in my mind.
November 4, 2021
10 year old me would have loved this book and spent hours poring over every page! Adult me still thinks it's awesome.
The author makes a wonderful case for exuberant, expressive language. We have such a flamboyantly varied lexicon to work with in English, plus an infinite number of loanwords and new creations--why limit ourselves to just the workaday regulars??? New, fun words are grouped loosely by concept (travel, feelings, nature, etc) and are broken down with a pronunciation guide, definition, and use in a sentence. Interesting roots/origins or pop culture references are also explained.
This would be a wonderful gift for any budding word nerd and also a great addition to elementary and middle school classroom and school libraries!
Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review!
The author makes a wonderful case for exuberant, expressive language. We have such a flamboyantly varied lexicon to work with in English, plus an infinite number of loanwords and new creations--why limit ourselves to just the workaday regulars??? New, fun words are grouped loosely by concept (travel, feelings, nature, etc) and are broken down with a pronunciation guide, definition, and use in a sentence. Interesting roots/origins or pop culture references are also explained.
This would be a wonderful gift for any budding word nerd and also a great addition to elementary and middle school classroom and school libraries!
Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review!
November 24, 2021
Thank you so much to the publisher and NetGalley for the advanced electronic copy of this delightful book. This is a middle-grade reference book comprised of word lists that are broken down by topic. Each word is explained in a child-friendly, fun way. I can’t wait to use this amazing book with my upper elementary (grades 3-5) students to teach word choice and writing.
December 31, 2021
Words, words, and more words fill every page with meanings, curiosities, and simply fun things to say.
While I thought this one would be more...well, I don't know what I thought, but it wasn't the twist on a traditional dictionary setting. But no worries because it's not completely traditional, either. The entire book is divided into chapters with a Table of Contents in the beginning to help locate each theme highlighted. These are titled in entertaining ways which also hint at the enclosed category of words. For example, 'itchy feet' leads into words surrounding travel. Each chapter begins with a short paragraph of explanation. The words follow with only a few on each page. Each one is accompanied by a pronunciation, word form, and the meaning(s). On the side, there are more facts, which have been divided into Roots, Pop Culture, and Level Up, which give extra information about a word's origins, cultural importance, and interesting facts surrounding the word, respectively.
This is one of those books, which can draw a reader in for hours as they search, find silly or interesting tidbits, and discover all sorts of things, they didn't know before. While everything is very information and fact based, it is entertaining. Not only are the words themselves amusing to say or use, but the history or usage behind some of them are packed with curiosities or silly facts. These make it easier to remember the word and to broaden knowledge in a way, which isn't easily forgotten. The information is clear and easy to understand, but then, it is written in a fun way, too.
Bright colors accompany every page, allowing the words with their definitions to playfully placed. So, although they have the same format as a dictionary, they are much more pleasantly placed with an atmosphere of fun.
It's a great way to get kids to use and discover new words. After all, there are more than a couple they can use with their friends...and even to impress an adult or two. It's playful and still packs even more information with fun historical and cultural tidbits. It's a great way to broaden younger readers' vocabularies...and even that of some adults.
I received an ARC through Netgalley and enjoy how fun this is.
While I thought this one would be more...well, I don't know what I thought, but it wasn't the twist on a traditional dictionary setting. But no worries because it's not completely traditional, either. The entire book is divided into chapters with a Table of Contents in the beginning to help locate each theme highlighted. These are titled in entertaining ways which also hint at the enclosed category of words. For example, 'itchy feet' leads into words surrounding travel. Each chapter begins with a short paragraph of explanation. The words follow with only a few on each page. Each one is accompanied by a pronunciation, word form, and the meaning(s). On the side, there are more facts, which have been divided into Roots, Pop Culture, and Level Up, which give extra information about a word's origins, cultural importance, and interesting facts surrounding the word, respectively.
This is one of those books, which can draw a reader in for hours as they search, find silly or interesting tidbits, and discover all sorts of things, they didn't know before. While everything is very information and fact based, it is entertaining. Not only are the words themselves amusing to say or use, but the history or usage behind some of them are packed with curiosities or silly facts. These make it easier to remember the word and to broaden knowledge in a way, which isn't easily forgotten. The information is clear and easy to understand, but then, it is written in a fun way, too.
Bright colors accompany every page, allowing the words with their definitions to playfully placed. So, although they have the same format as a dictionary, they are much more pleasantly placed with an atmosphere of fun.
It's a great way to get kids to use and discover new words. After all, there are more than a couple they can use with their friends...and even to impress an adult or two. It's playful and still packs even more information with fun historical and cultural tidbits. It's a great way to broaden younger readers' vocabularies...and even that of some adults.
I received an ARC through Netgalley and enjoy how fun this is.
January 24, 2023
First Thoughts
Love at first sight!
Not Absurd At All
This book is lit: from the introduction and a note for the adults to the very last page about the master of making up words (not Shakespeare, mind you, but Roald Dahl). It is a treasure chest full of word-gems, a fun-house for word-nerds, and one that will magically transform all its readers into logophiles (regardless of whether they were or not before they opened it).
I loved the clever chapter titles (like “G.O.A.T.” for words related to being, well G.O.A.T, and “Stretching the Truth” for words about fibbing and tricking!) And I absolutely adored the extras: those colorful sidebars that popped up all over. Some provide the roots for words, others give quirky facts, and still others show their impact on pop culture.
There is a plethora of splendiferous words within its pages; and it makes learning so much fun. Plus, the colors and illustrations are sure to attract even the youngest readers. While this book is intended for a middle-grade audience, I know it will work for all and any ages that can string letters together and/or love reading!
Last but not the least, Lazar provides ideas on how to come up with crashwords (a new word for portmanteau). So you can be a neologist!
In Summary
For verbomaniacs everywhere! And for those who are not as well (they will end up as verbomaniacs anyway)!
Thanks to the e-RC from NetGalley
Love at first sight!
Not Absurd At All
This book is lit: from the introduction and a note for the adults to the very last page about the master of making up words (not Shakespeare, mind you, but Roald Dahl). It is a treasure chest full of word-gems, a fun-house for word-nerds, and one that will magically transform all its readers into logophiles (regardless of whether they were or not before they opened it).
I loved the clever chapter titles (like “G.O.A.T.” for words related to being, well G.O.A.T, and “Stretching the Truth” for words about fibbing and tricking!) And I absolutely adored the extras: those colorful sidebars that popped up all over. Some provide the roots for words, others give quirky facts, and still others show their impact on pop culture.
There is a plethora of splendiferous words within its pages; and it makes learning so much fun. Plus, the colors and illustrations are sure to attract even the youngest readers. While this book is intended for a middle-grade audience, I know it will work for all and any ages that can string letters together and/or love reading!
Last but not the least, Lazar provides ideas on how to come up with crashwords (a new word for portmanteau). So you can be a neologist!
In Summary
For verbomaniacs everywhere! And for those who are not as well (they will end up as verbomaniacs anyway)!
Thanks to the e-RC from NetGalley
October 16, 2022
Where was this book when I was a tween?
I remember spending hours reading the dictionary when I was 10-12 years old. I have a distinct memory of my younger sister hounding me about that. I was trying to build my vocabulary, but I was also learning about the roots of words, alternate meanings, archaic meanings, and parts of speech.
Tara Lazar has created the perfect book for the budding logophile--or the established one! I learned several new things by perusing her book. For example, swashbuckler means "swash" to clash and "buckler" is another name for a shield. So shield clatterer speaks to the roots of that word.
The book is not in alphabetical order. Instead, Lazar organizes the words into related themes: "What a Zoo!" shares words for al thing rowdy, loud, and chaotic--such as maelstrom from Norway / Dutch words for a strong whirlpool; "Identity Crisis" describes various aspects of personality --such as avuncular, moxie, simpatico, and persnickety; and "Nom Nom Nom" for words about food--such as umami, "a meaty flavor. One of the basic tastes along with sweet, sour, salty, and bitter" (page 249).
This is a great book for classroom teachers to have in their rooms for free-time reading since students can pick it up, read around, put it back down, and then go back another time for more.
I remember spending hours reading the dictionary when I was 10-12 years old. I have a distinct memory of my younger sister hounding me about that. I was trying to build my vocabulary, but I was also learning about the roots of words, alternate meanings, archaic meanings, and parts of speech.
Tara Lazar has created the perfect book for the budding logophile--or the established one! I learned several new things by perusing her book. For example, swashbuckler means "swash" to clash and "buckler" is another name for a shield. So shield clatterer speaks to the roots of that word.
The book is not in alphabetical order. Instead, Lazar organizes the words into related themes: "What a Zoo!" shares words for al thing rowdy, loud, and chaotic--such as maelstrom from Norway / Dutch words for a strong whirlpool; "Identity Crisis" describes various aspects of personality --such as avuncular, moxie, simpatico, and persnickety; and "Nom Nom Nom" for words about food--such as umami, "a meaty flavor. One of the basic tastes along with sweet, sour, salty, and bitter" (page 249).
This is a great book for classroom teachers to have in their rooms for free-time reading since students can pick it up, read around, put it back down, and then go back another time for more.
October 15, 2022
I read this with my teen daughter over the last couple nights and we laughed and laughed. And I'm laughing now to think that we were really reading a dictionary!? This book is a collection of fun and unique words from the English language - words to expand our daily vocabulary range and entertain at the same time. There were lots we knew already, and funny new ones we declared essential to put into use henceforth. Wordsmith Tara Lazar has curated a lovely collection of absurd words to make our conversations more interesting. My daughter actually already knew what a hemidemisemiquaver was and I learned I've been using only the newer words for an octothorpe my whole life. How boring of me! And we can't wait for the next storm, so we can ask one of the boys for a bumbershoot! Ordered a copy for my daughter for Christmas, so we can refer back to it often. Top-notch nonfiction.
Read as a nomination in the non-fiction book award category as a panelist for Children's and Young Adult Bloggers' Literary Awards (Cybils Awards).
Read as a nomination in the non-fiction book award category as a panelist for Children's and Young Adult Bloggers' Literary Awards (Cybils Awards).
November 16, 2025
If you have kids and want to teach them in a fun way, get this book.
If you're an adult and want to expand your vocabulary, get this book.
If you're a teacher and are looking for ways to teach vocabulary that won't put your class to sleep, get this book.
If you want a fun read that takes the boring stigma off those Word A Day calendars, get this book.
Want to know how great and effective this book is? Not only have I been entertained and learned a lot of words and uses that I never heard of before, but I tested this on the preschoolers I read to. I exposed them to one word over the two weeks I had this out of the library. The result, they not only remembered the word and definition I taught them, they made up their own sentences using the fun words! Did I mention, I used this on 3 and 4 year olds? If it can do that for them, imagine what it can do for older kids and for you!
Everyone should have a fun vocabulary book like this in their library. I returned the library copy and ordered it from Amazon. It's now on my bookshelves to I can learn more absurd words!
If you're an adult and want to expand your vocabulary, get this book.
If you're a teacher and are looking for ways to teach vocabulary that won't put your class to sleep, get this book.
If you want a fun read that takes the boring stigma off those Word A Day calendars, get this book.
Want to know how great and effective this book is? Not only have I been entertained and learned a lot of words and uses that I never heard of before, but I tested this on the preschoolers I read to. I exposed them to one word over the two weeks I had this out of the library. The result, they not only remembered the word and definition I taught them, they made up their own sentences using the fun words! Did I mention, I used this on 3 and 4 year olds? If it can do that for them, imagine what it can do for older kids and for you!
Everyone should have a fun vocabulary book like this in their library. I returned the library copy and ordered it from Amazon. It's now on my bookshelves to I can learn more absurd words!
March 9, 2022
Loved this book! It’s a fun collection of unfamiliar, but very fun to say words, organized in fun categories instead of a straight A-Z kind of thing. Along the way there are little facts and tidbits about the words, so students are learning a bit of etymology without even realizing it. Word-lovers will love it, and everyone can enjoy learning the unusual words like Pettifogger and Spaghettification. And this is the fun kind of book you can skip around in according to your interest in the moment. There is a table of contents at the front to guide you, AND an index at the back to help you find those fascinating words even easier. And to add to the fun content, there are fun illustrations sprinkled in, with page design that makes it easy to digest and enjoy all the information between the covers. Just so well-designed.
January 5, 2022
300 pages of absurd words and their meanings? My little word-nerd will LOVE this book (and I have a feeling her fact-loving sister will enjoy reading it as well). We will definitely look into getting a paper version of this title, since the illustrations are adorable. It will make a great reference book for our homeschool library.
(I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.)
(I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.)
August 3, 2022
Where was this book when I was nerding out on words and studying for spelling bees? But that's okay because Absurd Words is so much fun, even for adults. Packed with topnotch words that are fun to say, along with the words' definitions and origins, this book is a lollapalooza for vocabulary connoisseurs.
February 15, 2023
With ingenuity and humor, 32 categories of a few words each, hundreds of words are defined with sample uses. A few are given more interesting background. The idea is to create excitement about word use.
I'd enjoy reaching for this book on occasion for fun and also to use some of these gems as I write.
My favorite: hemidemisemiquaver, noun, a super-quick note with the time value of 1/64th
I'd enjoy reaching for this book on occasion for fun and also to use some of these gems as I write.
My favorite: hemidemisemiquaver, noun, a super-quick note with the time value of 1/64th
March 6, 2023
I loved this book. I have been a long time word nerd ( so says my teenage copy of The Superior Person's book of Words) but this book made learning new words so much fun. The author organizes groups of words into topics which makes them easier to remember. SO many fun tidbits, facts, silly sentences that you'll fall in love with these weird words. Great for ANY age.
September 29, 2022
Absurd Words for Future Word Nerds is a lighthearted and fun vocabulary book meant for every home and classroom bookshelf. The words are fun to hear, to say, and to learn. We’re bringing our copy on our next road trip to keep everyone engaged and giggling.
October 29, 2022
Perfect book for writers and storytellers of all ages! Take your stories to the next level. Add Absurd Words like jabberwocky, lilliputian and lily-livered to pop your stories off the pages. Over 750 high-level, wondrous, and wacky words!
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