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100 Words To Make You Sound Smart
The newest title in the popular 100 Words series is an informative and entertaining resource that can help anyone be right on the money when looking for words that will make a point, seal the deal, or just keep folks listening. Chosen by the editors of the American Heritage Dictionaries, these words will appeal to anyone who wants to be a more compelling communicator—as a worker, consumer, advocate, friend, dinner companion, or even as a romantic prospect.
The book includes a colorful variety of words, including handy words of just one syllable (such as glib) and words derived from the names of famous people (such as Freudian slip and Machiavellian).
There are expressions from popular culture (Catch-22) and words that date back to classical civilization (spartan and stoic). Each word is clearly defined and shown in context with quotations from contemporary sources: magazines, newspapers, broadcast media, movies, and television. For many words, quotations from distinguished authors and speakers are also given and word histories are explained.
Like its predecessors in this successful series, 100 Words to Make You Sound Smart provides an affordable and enjoyable way to communicate more effectively. It offers the coveted gift of gab to anyone who needs to “say it right”—and to anyone who wants to sound more articulate.
The book includes a colorful variety of words, including handy words of just one syllable (such as glib) and words derived from the names of famous people (such as Freudian slip and Machiavellian).
There are expressions from popular culture (Catch-22) and words that date back to classical civilization (spartan and stoic). Each word is clearly defined and shown in context with quotations from contemporary sources: magazines, newspapers, broadcast media, movies, and television. For many words, quotations from distinguished authors and speakers are also given and word histories are explained.
Like its predecessors in this successful series, 100 Words to Make You Sound Smart provides an affordable and enjoyable way to communicate more effectively. It offers the coveted gift of gab to anyone who needs to “say it right”—and to anyone who wants to sound more articulate.
128 pages, Paperback
First published October 4, 2006
230 people are currently reading
431 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
October 29, 2017
This book aims for dichotomy: you choose to be smart or remain ordinary sounding when you talk. If you are not fastidious in using the English language, your communication will be disheveled and you cannot always equivocate whether you want to improve yourself in school or at work. Some overdo it by using big words or phrases with ostentatious effect. We should avoid this fiasco: even Americans who are native speakers of English can commit grammatical mistakes. We ignore those by saying that they are just typographical errors and thus this paradox: when a fellow Filipino commits the same mistake, we say that he is lacks the elan in language or worse, we say vile judgments like he graduated from so-so school. Not having the best education from exclusive schools can forever stigmatize graduates. But this is just a red herring. The real issue is the economy. How can every student get good education if the teachers themselves were not properly trained in the proper drills in English language?
I graduated from a provincial high school and when I was in my first semester in college, my essay in Psychology 101 had this comment written by my professor: "Next time, be careful with your grammar." That despite the fact that I got 98% in my senior English in high school and got all the accolades from my parents.
I bought this book early this year at the bargain section of National Book Store Forum. You see, I have this zealous belief that one has to challenge himself in terms of personal development continuously. Also, I don't want this book to be another white elephant on my bookshelf. Unread self-help books are becoming ubiquitous in the house. My wife has long stopped her impatient tirades and litany of reasons against my books when I countered that spending on books is better than spending on a mistress. However, I neither want to appear Svengali nor maintain stoicism just because I am the family's lone breadwinner. I continue my spartan reading. True, I finagle for glib convincing of my wife that books make our home look more alive or a harbinger that until I finish the 1001 Books Before You Die, that's the only time that I can die.
My book friends have this idiosyncrasy in buying books: we buy even without the intention of reading yet because stocks can run out anytime. Our mantra is better to buy than be sorry later. Never mind if the term reader is becoming a misnomer because we don't read as much. At times, it feels like this habit of endless buying of books is a narcissistic tendency. After all, reading is almost always a solitary activity.
Reading this book is fun. Many of the 100 words are familiar and I can use correctly. There were some that I have been using but in a totally wrong way: ANGST. I normally associate this with James Dean in "Rebel Without a Cause" or Holden Caulfield in J. D. Salinger's greatest work, "The Cather in the Rye." I thought that teenage angst means what they are angry about just by being in that age of not-yet-an-adult-but-no-longer-a-child. Through this book, I learned that angst is "n. a feeling of anxiety or apprehension." So, it is not about being angry but it is about being anxious or indecisive. But probably my young bona fide book friends really mean teenage angst as anxious and being anxious makes them angry.
I graduated from a provincial high school and when I was in my first semester in college, my essay in Psychology 101 had this comment written by my professor: "Next time, be careful with your grammar." That despite the fact that I got 98% in my senior English in high school and got all the accolades from my parents.
I bought this book early this year at the bargain section of National Book Store Forum. You see, I have this zealous belief that one has to challenge himself in terms of personal development continuously. Also, I don't want this book to be another white elephant on my bookshelf. Unread self-help books are becoming ubiquitous in the house. My wife has long stopped her impatient tirades and litany of reasons against my books when I countered that spending on books is better than spending on a mistress. However, I neither want to appear Svengali nor maintain stoicism just because I am the family's lone breadwinner. I continue my spartan reading. True, I finagle for glib convincing of my wife that books make our home look more alive or a harbinger that until I finish the 1001 Books Before You Die, that's the only time that I can die.
My book friends have this idiosyncrasy in buying books: we buy even without the intention of reading yet because stocks can run out anytime. Our mantra is better to buy than be sorry later. Never mind if the term reader is becoming a misnomer because we don't read as much. At times, it feels like this habit of endless buying of books is a narcissistic tendency. After all, reading is almost always a solitary activity.
Reading this book is fun. Many of the 100 words are familiar and I can use correctly. There were some that I have been using but in a totally wrong way: ANGST. I normally associate this with James Dean in "Rebel Without a Cause" or Holden Caulfield in J. D. Salinger's greatest work, "The Cather in the Rye." I thought that teenage angst means what they are angry about just by being in that age of not-yet-an-adult-but-no-longer-a-child. Through this book, I learned that angst is "n. a feeling of anxiety or apprehension." So, it is not about being angry but it is about being anxious or indecisive. But probably my young bona fide book friends really mean teenage angst as anxious and being anxious makes them angry.
May 17, 2018
SIX WORD REVIEW: boondoggle, elan, fait accompli, junket, Svengali.
May 6, 2014
Nice reading. The only drawback is that it is written as a dictionary, therefore every page is independent from the other one. It's like reading a dictionary rather than a regular book.
This said, the words listed have been nice to learn. Many were already known, but thanks to the deep explanation, I could understand their meaning better.
If you're not a native speaker, but you already have a good English, this book may be good to help you impress natives when you write. (try to don't use those words in regular speaking, you'd just sound weird)
This said, the words listed have been nice to learn. Many were already known, but thanks to the deep explanation, I could understand their meaning better.
If you're not a native speaker, but you already have a good English, this book may be good to help you impress natives when you write. (try to don't use those words in regular speaking, you'd just sound weird)
September 19, 2012
One of the quirky little books my husband owns, lol. Overall, a good reference. I would have replaced more mainstream words like "angst" and "deja vu" with something more rare. I feel like a lot of middle schoolers would probably be able to define those words. And I'm guessing this is more aimed at high schoolers and college students. But, regardless, an interesting little read.
August 8, 2014
I stort sett en lista på 100 svåra ord. Jag kunde ungefär hälften av dem och ämnar lära mig alla. Många ord som jag hör/läser i böcker ibland och som definitivt är värda att lära sig. Kort bok, rekommenderas.
February 1, 2019
Like reading a dictionary, but with quotes for context.
My favorite part of reading this book is when I said, "Boondoggle" out out and my coworker looked up and said, "What godforsaken piece of literature are you reading that has that word?"
And I started laughing and choked out, "100 Words to Make You Sound Smart."
His response to that was, "That word just disqualified the entire book."
Boondoggle. Ha!
My favorite part of reading this book is when I said, "Boondoggle" out out and my coworker looked up and said, "What godforsaken piece of literature are you reading that has that word?"
And I started laughing and choked out, "100 Words to Make You Sound Smart."
His response to that was, "That word just disqualified the entire book."
Boondoggle. Ha!
February 24, 2019
As a word nerd, I LOVE vocabulary books.
That said, bona fide and boondoggle aren't in the upper echelon (which did not get included in this collection)
Loved seeing that harbinger made the cut (I'd once written a short story with such a title)
nirvana made the cut too- rock on
The book is ostentatious in nature, but limited in scope in comparison of the extensiveness the language has. Simply promotes rhetoric we don't need.
That said, bona fide and boondoggle aren't in the upper echelon (which did not get included in this collection)
Loved seeing that harbinger made the cut (I'd once written a short story with such a title)
nirvana made the cut too- rock on
The book is ostentatious in nature, but limited in scope in comparison of the extensiveness the language has. Simply promotes rhetoric we don't need.
July 29, 2019
The book is a collection of 100 fancy words used in intellectual writing. It is helpful to go through the list and learn the same language as the well-educated's, and refine our own writing.
However, in this digital age, the most useful feature of the book is only its last page which lists the 100 words. The other pages are not really necessary. Once I see the list, I can look those words up in a dictionary (on my phone) for their meaning, usage and examples.
However, in this digital age, the most useful feature of the book is only its last page which lists the 100 words. The other pages are not really necessary. Once I see the list, I can look those words up in a dictionary (on my phone) for their meaning, usage and examples.
December 21, 2023
I dont know how in the brief this book is set to be 'entertaining' - i got up to around to word number 27 or so before bordem set in...fuelled by the very robot / scriptive nature in the way the content of the book is put forward...
...don't get me wrong, the content is 'ok' but not my fav way of learning...its more like reading a text book rather a good book...
nevertheless..i'll give it 2 stars...
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Seemy
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...don't get me wrong, the content is 'ok' but not my fav way of learning...its more like reading a text book rather a good book...
nevertheless..i'll give it 2 stars...
To Our Continued Success!
Seemy
https://Waseem.tv/Blog
👆🏼 P.S -
If you found this review helpful - I’d like to invite you to discover more on our blog. Where the community share some of our most important insights to level up each others knowledge 💡- from experience in studying books like this, training programs, podcasts and much more - visit the blog link above to find out more.
P.P.S 😅 - You probably noticed from my profile that I’ve reviewed a LOT of books over many years now - if you love seeking knowledge like me I’d love to connect with you further as a like minded person (send me a friend invite! 😀) - Also if you are curious - here is my preferred and recommended resource for seeking timeless wisdom - Check it out via the website invite link below 👇🏼 (You’ll be able to claim some awesome books for free 📚)
https://Waseem.tv/GoodReadsBookInvite
November 25, 2016
So these are all it takes? Don't get me wrong--the words listed here are fine, but I find myself taking each for granted. I came into the book looking for new or unused arrows for my quiver and found I'm, apparently, doin' all right. It's a fun, quick little read, and some of the etymologies and examples are great--see: The Beatles, Catch-22, and Ovid--but I don't suspect a reader will transform into Oscar Wilde in one sitting.
June 4, 2010
Another in the series (as I purchase six of the eight with my Amazon birthday money, so there'll be a few more I'm going to pop up). Not as many new ones to learn in this one, but definitely a good book for people looking to expand their vocabulary.
January 14, 2016
A few surprises for me as I'd been using a couple of these words outside of their proper usage (and probably couldn't have given you a passable definition if asked for it).
Good book for anyone just out of high school or somewhere in their university education.
Good book for anyone just out of high school or somewhere in their university education.
June 4, 2008
i keep this book close by. i used to hate vocabulary when i was in school, but i love to expand my vocab and make sure i use words in context.
October 26, 2009
Haha, I LIVE on this book.
Read
January 18, 2010100 Words To Make You Sound Smart by Editors of The American Heritage Dictionaries (2006)
February 13, 2013
Loved this book. I get made fun of for my expansive vocabulary, and even then I didn't know half of this words.
February 22, 2012
I love language and words, it was a fun read for a word nerd.
March 15, 2012
It turned out that I all ready knew a majority of the words, but I did learn how to properly use some that I didn't know before.
May 15, 2012
I already knew 96 out of 100 words.
Currently reading
June 19, 2013very good
January 10, 2014
It's exactly what the description says.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews