The Yo Momma Vocabulary Builder: Revised and Expanded Edition

by Justin Heimberg, Steve Harwood, Chris Schultz

Increasing word power sounds like one of those dreary chores best palmed off on somebody else. The Yo Momma Vocabulary Builder, the first in Fall Media’s series of irreverent, educational books, makes the activity not only endurable but irresistible. The authors use classic dissing and one-upmanship to slyly introduce young readers to a wide range of words. A typical entry, for “emaciated,” first presents the word as a joke (“Yo momma's so emaciated, she can hula hoop in a fruit loop.”). The pronunciation is then given, along with a detailed, humor-inflected definition (“too skinny . . . skeletal”) that invokes pop culture phenomena like supermodels, the Olson twins, Gollum from Lord of the Rings, and Ally McBeal. The book ties neatly into the “Yo Momma” phenomenon seen in recent MTV shows as well as books and games, and is an ideal gift choice for parents and educators looking to give young people a book they’ll enjoy and share.

184 pages, Paperback

First published March 5, 2007

About the author

Justin Heimberg graduated from Duke University in May 1995. After college, he, along with co-author David Gomberg, spent many months in a beach house where the first Would You Rather . . .? (Plume) book was born. Heimberg, an idealistic comedy writer, makes his living as a child advocate in Washington, D.C.

Reviews

[Merary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very fun book to read!
Not only does it teach you how to make great Yo Momma jokes(and a few Yo Daddy jokes), but also learn SAT words at the same time.
There's also some sections about matching the right word with the sentence(a great tactic to learn and practice words)and Yo Momma jokes practice.
If you like funny books but still want something educational on it, this book is just for you.

[Terri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Justin Heimberg and friends cover over 250 words that are more or less unfamiliar in this slim volume. Make no mistake, this is not a book for middle schoolers or below, but high schoolers and adults who are preparing for the SAT or are logophiles (lovers of words)will find it right up their alley. Additionally, those who enjoy the deprecating humor of Rodney Dangerfield or Don Rickles will appreciate the "Yo Momma" jokes that supplement the definitions, e.g., an example of a logical paradox on p. 87, "Yo momma's so dumb she sold her car for gasoline money." Carrying the conundrum a step further, the index listing for paradox says, "See Catch 22," which in turn says, "See Paradox." But the humor can wear thin after a while, so this book is probably best suited to browsing rather than sustained reading.

[Joey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very fun and humorous book for building your vocabulary.

[babyhippoface · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great way to build vocabulary. Witty, educational, and downright fun. :)