Chosen Words

Word Anthology #9

by Ivor Brown

Chosen Words [Penguin 1667]

Genres: Language

284 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1955

Reviews

[Osman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stop hawbgaubling and read this absolute gem of a book. It's a collection of (I think) newspaper columns devoted to archaic or otherwise obscure (Anglo-Saxon) English language words. Each chosen word gives rise to a short meditation on its use and more general related issues. Many of the words are short and sound charming; perhaps more so than their Latinate replacements.

Ivor Brown (a Shakespearean authority) writes in a beautifully clear and elegant fashion and each article is by turns amusing, informative and thought-provoking.

Thoroughly recommended not just for lovers of obscure language but for anyone who is interested in good writing. Although I don't think it's in print anymore... :(

[Stephen Matlock · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this book several decades ago, and have read it several times. More than just unusual words, it is a delight to hear this man's voice speak through the pages. It is witty and funny and home-y.