Word Fugitives: In Pursuit of Wanted Words

by Barbara Wallraff

Despite the many thousands of dictionary words at our disposal, our language can be dismayingly inadequate. How many times have you searched for a word that means just what you want it to but failed to find anything suitable anywhere? Most of us, it turns out, lead lives rife with experiences, people, and things that have no names. At least, they lacked names until now. Word Fugitives comes to the rescue, supplying hundreds of inspired words coined or redefined to meet everyday needs. For instance, wouldn't it be handy to have a word for the momentary confusion people experience when they hear a cell phone ringing and wonder whether it's theirs? (How about fauxcellarm, phonundrum, or pandephonium ?) Or what about a word for offspring who are adults? (Try unchildren or offsprung .) Or a word for the irrational fear when you're throwing a party that no one will show up? (That might be guestlessness, empty-fest syndrome, or fete-alism.) This mind- and vocabulary-expanding book grew out -- way out -- of Barbara Wallraff's popular column in The Atlantic Monthly . Brimming with irresistible diversions and pop quizzes; illuminated by contributions and commentary from authors, linguists, and leading language authorities; and enlivened by pleas for help from people whose words have yet to be found, Word Fugitives will captivate and inspire anyone who ever struggles to describe the world that he or she, or they, or thon ( thon ? see page 141) lives in.

Genres: Language, Nonfiction

208 pages, Hardcover

First published February 28, 2006

Reviews

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a fan of what some call dull studies. Language being one of them. I have read some English word books that are tedious too. But not so Barbara Wallraff's little gem here. I enjoyed her inventiveness. "Everything in it's place and a place for everything." That should be true of words too. Well, Wallraff just covered it right here. It maybe a favorite of mine now. But it goes back on the shelf too for a reference book. As well as a fun book to confuse friends ( I still write snail mail letters 3 times a year to my friends.) ha ha are they in for a surprise thanks to this little invented dictionary.

[Johanna]

The author, and others revising the OED, held a ridiculously funny panel which covered lexicography, nostalgia, and the f-word, among other things. One of them dedicated a year to reading the OED in its entirety and had a lot of things to say about it. So now me and about 6,000 other people have this on hold at the library. Can't wait.

[Trey · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is probably better as a newspaper column. There are several humorous neologisms, but the amount of "sent in by Jimmy Crackedcorn from Deluth, MN" that you have to wade through makes it almost not worth it.