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Horrible Histories Specials #3
Wicked Words
Discover why words rule in this wicked book of them! Find out why they say the pen is mightier than the sword! Terry Deary runs riot through the horrible history of the English language in a book to leave you (and your teacher) speechless.
192 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 19, 1996
37 people are currently reading
420 people want to read
About the author
Terry Deary
823 books824 followersA former actor, theatre-director and drama teacher, Deary says he began writing when he was 29. Most famously, he is one of the authors of the Horrible Histories series of books popular among children for their disgusting details, gory information and humorous pictures and among adults for getting children interested in history. Books in the series have been widely translated into other languages and imitated.
A cartoon series has been made of the series of books and was shown on CiTV for a period in 2002.
The first series of a live-action comedy sketch show of the same name was shown on CBBC in 2009 and a second series is due.
Terry is also known widely throughout children and adult reading groups alike for his True Stories series (see below for series list).
He received an Honorary Doctorate of Education from the University of Sunderland in 2000. His numerous accolades also include the Blue Peter "Best Nonfiction Author of the Century" Award in the U.K.
-Wikipedia
A cartoon series has been made of the series of books and was shown on CiTV for a period in 2002.
The first series of a live-action comedy sketch show of the same name was shown on CBBC in 2009 and a second series is due.
Terry is also known widely throughout children and adult reading groups alike for his True Stories series (see below for series list).
He received an Honorary Doctorate of Education from the University of Sunderland in 2000. His numerous accolades also include the Blue Peter "Best Nonfiction Author of the Century" Award in the U.K.
-Wikipedia
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
November 26, 2025
REVIEW OF THE FIRST EDTION
What Terry Deary textually provides with his 1996 middle grade Wicked Words is a humorous and irreverent look at the development of the English language, and is thankfully not imbued with an air of linguistic superiority regarding English, so that Wicked Words is generally and happily mostly free of language based jingoism (although I do find it rather annoying and frustrating how Deary describes Neanderthals as being simplistic apes and considers English a mixed language of French and Anglo-Saxon since English is a Western Germanic language that uses a whole lot of French loan words but is certainly not an equal mix of French and Anglo-Saxon, since especially grammar and syntax wise, English is definitely not French, is not Latin based but rather Germanic in scope and organisation, although of course both English and French are Indo-European languages and thus also related through this).
And yes, I can certainly imagine that in particular boys (from about the age of eight to eleven or twelve) who enjoy cheekiness and a light hearted narrational tone in and for their non-fiction reading materials would probably find Wicked Words a fun and engaging way to learn about how the English language developed and about the differences between American and British English (but with the in my opinion necessary caveat that with a 1996 publication date, the section in Wicked Words on computer based jargon could be a bit incomprehensible and strange for children of today and that the chapter in Wicked Words regarding politically correctness is not only quite dated for 2024 but can also read a bit uncomfortably since Terry Deary writes with the same type of author snarkiness in this section of Wicked Words as in the rest of the book, and no, Mr. Deary, I most certainly would much rather be called fat or corpulent than horizontally challenged, as I find that particular term incredibly rude and offensive and always have).
But truth be told and unfortunately, regarding in particular the pretty heavy-handed humour Deary textually utilises in and for ALL of Wicked Words, both my inner child and I really do tend to find this for the most part annoyingly aggravating, artificial (forced), sometimes even borderline offensive and as such also very much reading interest destroying (read tedious) and that Philip Reeve's cartoon like accompanying illustrations for Wicked Words are majorly visually distracting and also much too ugly for both of our aesthetic tastes. And while some of the quizzes Terry Deary provides in Wicked Words are definitely intriguing and would probably make learning nicely fun, the way they are set up is not all that user friendly for someone like me who gets easily distracted and basically wants and has always wanted mostly straight and not too much embellished facts. So indeed, I do have to say that what makes Wicked Words fun and engaging for certain types of readers and learners actually does not tend to work all that well for me personally and also would not have worked for me when I was a middle grade reader, when I was the intended age group for Wicked Words (and nothing inherently wrong with that, of course, but yes, that for me, Wicked Words simply has too much of a textual focus on irreverence, on humour, on keeping things light-hearted and silly and is also a bit too unorganised and all over the place both verbally and visually for me to be able to actually enjoy reading the presented text, and not to mention that having no bibliographic materials at all being included by Terry Deary in Wicked Words, that is a huge and problematic issue that I just cannot and will not be willing or able to ignore).
And thus, only two stars for me personally for Wicked Words, albeit upped to three stars because I do know and accept that much of what my inner child and I have not enjoyed regarding Deary's presented text is indeed simply a matter of preference. But no, and most definitely, I would not be willing to grant a higher score than three stars for a non fiction book on language history that provides no secondary/primary sources whatsoever and no suggestions for further study and reading (and that I do find the fact how any and all bibliographic materials are basically totally missing in action so to speak in Wicked Words a huge and problematic academic lack and unacceptable oversight).
Finally, just for me to say, that since I have not read the more recent editions of Wicked Words, I of course also do not know whether these have been updated and made more current, more contemporary in any way (but I do hope that this is indeed the case).
What Terry Deary textually provides with his 1996 middle grade Wicked Words is a humorous and irreverent look at the development of the English language, and is thankfully not imbued with an air of linguistic superiority regarding English, so that Wicked Words is generally and happily mostly free of language based jingoism (although I do find it rather annoying and frustrating how Deary describes Neanderthals as being simplistic apes and considers English a mixed language of French and Anglo-Saxon since English is a Western Germanic language that uses a whole lot of French loan words but is certainly not an equal mix of French and Anglo-Saxon, since especially grammar and syntax wise, English is definitely not French, is not Latin based but rather Germanic in scope and organisation, although of course both English and French are Indo-European languages and thus also related through this).
And yes, I can certainly imagine that in particular boys (from about the age of eight to eleven or twelve) who enjoy cheekiness and a light hearted narrational tone in and for their non-fiction reading materials would probably find Wicked Words a fun and engaging way to learn about how the English language developed and about the differences between American and British English (but with the in my opinion necessary caveat that with a 1996 publication date, the section in Wicked Words on computer based jargon could be a bit incomprehensible and strange for children of today and that the chapter in Wicked Words regarding politically correctness is not only quite dated for 2024 but can also read a bit uncomfortably since Terry Deary writes with the same type of author snarkiness in this section of Wicked Words as in the rest of the book, and no, Mr. Deary, I most certainly would much rather be called fat or corpulent than horizontally challenged, as I find that particular term incredibly rude and offensive and always have).
But truth be told and unfortunately, regarding in particular the pretty heavy-handed humour Deary textually utilises in and for ALL of Wicked Words, both my inner child and I really do tend to find this for the most part annoyingly aggravating, artificial (forced), sometimes even borderline offensive and as such also very much reading interest destroying (read tedious) and that Philip Reeve's cartoon like accompanying illustrations for Wicked Words are majorly visually distracting and also much too ugly for both of our aesthetic tastes. And while some of the quizzes Terry Deary provides in Wicked Words are definitely intriguing and would probably make learning nicely fun, the way they are set up is not all that user friendly for someone like me who gets easily distracted and basically wants and has always wanted mostly straight and not too much embellished facts. So indeed, I do have to say that what makes Wicked Words fun and engaging for certain types of readers and learners actually does not tend to work all that well for me personally and also would not have worked for me when I was a middle grade reader, when I was the intended age group for Wicked Words (and nothing inherently wrong with that, of course, but yes, that for me, Wicked Words simply has too much of a textual focus on irreverence, on humour, on keeping things light-hearted and silly and is also a bit too unorganised and all over the place both verbally and visually for me to be able to actually enjoy reading the presented text, and not to mention that having no bibliographic materials at all being included by Terry Deary in Wicked Words, that is a huge and problematic issue that I just cannot and will not be willing or able to ignore).
And thus, only two stars for me personally for Wicked Words, albeit upped to three stars because I do know and accept that much of what my inner child and I have not enjoyed regarding Deary's presented text is indeed simply a matter of preference. But no, and most definitely, I would not be willing to grant a higher score than three stars for a non fiction book on language history that provides no secondary/primary sources whatsoever and no suggestions for further study and reading (and that I do find the fact how any and all bibliographic materials are basically totally missing in action so to speak in Wicked Words a huge and problematic academic lack and unacceptable oversight).
Finally, just for me to say, that since I have not read the more recent editions of Wicked Words, I of course also do not know whether these have been updated and made more current, more contemporary in any way (but I do hope that this is indeed the case).
March 22, 2021
This is a great book that every reasonable lover of English should consider reading because it contains all the important parts of english's development as a language. Overall, this is my favorite book of the Horrible Histories series, and I highly encourage everybody who is interested to read this.
December 17, 2019
Though I’m no stranger to the English language, I was still curious to read what Terry Deary had to say about it, the origins of some of its words and the great writers who influenced and changed its shape for ever. As you already know from the title, today I’m going to review Terry Deary’s Wicked Words, the third Horrible Histories book I’ve read this year.
In the Introduction, we are told that words are power and they can hurt as deep as a sword. But, In order to gain this power and learn how to use it, we have to read this book. So, the purpose of this short volume is to make the young readers be both accustomed to and entertained by the English language and its secrets. Before the timeline, there’s a chapter dedicated to prehistoric times, the first language humans spoke (which made the difference between our survival and extinction) and what archaeological findings reveal about this topic. The Horrible Histories timeline for the English language stretches from Rome’s rule over Britain to the 20th century. But it also includes Gutenberg’s printing press, two of the most influential English writers and Dr Samuel Johnson’s English dictionary.
The table of content of this book is arranged alphabetically and each letter comprises a chapter or two and an aspect of the English language. Personally, I would have preferred the chronological order because it was strange to read about Dickens before Shakespeare. But let’s move on. In this book, you will read about the history of the English language (divided into six brief parts), Anglo-Saxon literature, stylistic literary devices such as alliteration, great English writers and poets such as Geoffrey Chaucer, William Shakespeare and Charles Dickens, William Caxton, words and their etymologies, euphemisms, slang words, swear words and many more. You will also find fragments from, Beowulf, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, The Vision of Piers Plawman, The Canterbury Tales, Macbeth, A Tale of Two Cities, A Christmas Carol etc. However, but beware, the endings of these literary works are spoiled in this book; so skip those parts if you haven’t read them yet.
In the end, I think that this book is great for children who are interested in language and grammar because Terry Deary explains everything clearly and inserts jokes, games riddles and stories along the way. For me, on the other hand, this book didn’t have a lot of new information to offer because I already knew enough about the English language and its history. Also, I wasn’t a big fan of the football metaphor for the various invasions of Britain, but I guess it might work for younger readers. Overall, it was a nice read, so please give this book a try, if you or your kids are into languages and British humour.
In the Introduction, we are told that words are power and they can hurt as deep as a sword. But, In order to gain this power and learn how to use it, we have to read this book. So, the purpose of this short volume is to make the young readers be both accustomed to and entertained by the English language and its secrets. Before the timeline, there’s a chapter dedicated to prehistoric times, the first language humans spoke (which made the difference between our survival and extinction) and what archaeological findings reveal about this topic. The Horrible Histories timeline for the English language stretches from Rome’s rule over Britain to the 20th century. But it also includes Gutenberg’s printing press, two of the most influential English writers and Dr Samuel Johnson’s English dictionary.
The table of content of this book is arranged alphabetically and each letter comprises a chapter or two and an aspect of the English language. Personally, I would have preferred the chronological order because it was strange to read about Dickens before Shakespeare. But let’s move on. In this book, you will read about the history of the English language (divided into six brief parts), Anglo-Saxon literature, stylistic literary devices such as alliteration, great English writers and poets such as Geoffrey Chaucer, William Shakespeare and Charles Dickens, William Caxton, words and their etymologies, euphemisms, slang words, swear words and many more. You will also find fragments from, Beowulf, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, The Vision of Piers Plawman, The Canterbury Tales, Macbeth, A Tale of Two Cities, A Christmas Carol etc. However, but beware, the endings of these literary works are spoiled in this book; so skip those parts if you haven’t read them yet.
In the end, I think that this book is great for children who are interested in language and grammar because Terry Deary explains everything clearly and inserts jokes, games riddles and stories along the way. For me, on the other hand, this book didn’t have a lot of new information to offer because I already knew enough about the English language and its history. Also, I wasn’t a big fan of the football metaphor for the various invasions of Britain, but I guess it might work for younger readers. Overall, it was a nice read, so please give this book a try, if you or your kids are into languages and British humour.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 24, 2016
To be honest, this wasn't the best Horrible Histories book that I have read, but it was still good. It was more of an on-and-off read rather then a sit-down-and-read read. (That makes no sense but you get what I mean). 3.5 stars.
May 6, 2024
This book provides a funny look at the development of the English language. I found it really interesting. It's funny, irreverent and interesting. I'm not sure he's entirely correct about the origins of some of the words but the explanations are funny. The book covers American English as well as British and the differences. This book shares the etymology of popular words and phrases. It's done in the form of a quiz in the same funny and irreverent style as the informational text. I guessed most of the origins correctly but some were lucky guesses. I also guessed what the foreign words borrowed from English mean.
There are games to play to guess the definition of words. Studying while having fun is an ingenious idea most teachers don't have time to do.
There's some gruesome and gory history thrown in for good measure too.
Unfortunately, it starts to show its age towards the end. Originally published in 1996, this edition has a section on jargon than includes a lot of computer terminology no kid today will understand. No, not the jargon, which wasn't meant to be understood, but CD-Rom drive? DOS? What's that mean to a kid of today?
The final section is on politically correct words. This also shows the age of the book because the tone is the same irreverent tone used in the rest of the book. He does point out how language evolves and changes over time and in 10 years some of these words may not be in use. Of course today we have a wider range of descriptions for people that are not included in this book. It would be best to track down a newer copy of the book for instructional and informational purposes.
I like this series a lot for middle school age boys, like my nephew, who are not traditional learners. Some parents may find the humor too gross and/or violent at times. The cartoon illustrations match the tone of the book.
There are games to play to guess the definition of words. Studying while having fun is an ingenious idea most teachers don't have time to do.
There's some gruesome and gory history thrown in for good measure too.
Unfortunately, it starts to show its age towards the end. Originally published in 1996, this edition has a section on jargon than includes a lot of computer terminology no kid today will understand. No, not the jargon, which wasn't meant to be understood, but CD-Rom drive? DOS? What's that mean to a kid of today?
The final section is on politically correct words. This also shows the age of the book because the tone is the same irreverent tone used in the rest of the book. He does point out how language evolves and changes over time and in 10 years some of these words may not be in use. Of course today we have a wider range of descriptions for people that are not included in this book. It would be best to track down a newer copy of the book for instructional and informational purposes.
I like this series a lot for middle school age boys, like my nephew, who are not traditional learners. Some parents may find the humor too gross and/or violent at times. The cartoon illustrations match the tone of the book.
July 29, 2011
Horrible Histories is a series of illustrated books published in the UK by Scholastic. They are designed to get children interested in history by concentrating on the trivial, unusual, gory, or unpleasant. They are exceptionally well loved by my history loving children
March 2, 2024
As usual, HH excellence, a good learning book for kids (and adults alike). I have always been addicted to history and HH books are always a breath of fresh air. I will never tire of them.
October 24, 2023
A fun and quick read all about English words and their origins
June 27, 2021
Wittier than non angli sed angeli (though that's probably not overwhelmingly high praise)
September 1, 2023
“New words are always being born; they grow, they change and in time they die away. Just like human beings really. That’s what makes them so interesting.”
January 11, 2013
There is really no better way to get kids interested in history than by giving them a Terry Deary Horrible Histories! I loved these books as a kid and I love to collect them now. Deary's take on history is hilarious and interesting. It may not all be true but you definitely learn something!
January 10, 2017
I've got the whole collection of Horrible Histories so this year is the year of reading them all! I decided to start 2017 with Wicked Words. All the Horrible Histories series are 5 star worth because they're educational and they're fun. Kids have got it so good nowadays.
June 24, 2024
I love the Horrible Histories books, and am going to do a series of videos about them. I bought a copy of Wicked Words at Shakespeare's Globe in London, which seems appropriate since the book has a whole section on Shakespeare and his invention of words.
Unlike most of the Horrible Histories series, which focus on a specific historical time and place (or, for some of the Specials, on the history of a place across time), this book focuses on the vicissitudes of the English language. There definitely is an element of change here--often drawing on a football (soccer, for us Americans) metaphor of which team controls the home ground--as England goes from a Celtic speaking area, through the Romans, through the Anglo-Saxons, through the Vikings, through the Normans, and even into modern linguistic changes from places/cultures like the US. But a lot of it is almost more like a literary devices catalog, going through different elements of language and describing them, how they work, and how they can be used.
The big premise of Deary's book is that being able to use language effectively is a form of power, and his stated goal is to increase the reader's ability to wield that power by improving their knowledge and command of language.
Unlike most of the Horrible Histories series, which focus on a specific historical time and place (or, for some of the Specials, on the history of a place across time), this book focuses on the vicissitudes of the English language. There definitely is an element of change here--often drawing on a football (soccer, for us Americans) metaphor of which team controls the home ground--as England goes from a Celtic speaking area, through the Romans, through the Anglo-Saxons, through the Vikings, through the Normans, and even into modern linguistic changes from places/cultures like the US. But a lot of it is almost more like a literary devices catalog, going through different elements of language and describing them, how they work, and how they can be used.
The big premise of Deary's book is that being able to use language effectively is a form of power, and his stated goal is to increase the reader's ability to wield that power by improving their knowledge and command of language.
July 29, 2025
Wicked Words does a lot well—and a lot bizarrely. It’s funny and informative, though some jokes rely on background knowledge most 11-year-olds probably won’t have (fair enough—it’s a 30-year-old book!). The lack of chronological structure is odd, but the short chapters make it easy to skim and pull excerpts.
I originally planned to give it 4 stars, but dropped to 3 because of the final two chapters: “Y’Drunken” and “Zee End” on political correctness. The “Y’Drunken” chapter pushes boundaries that would make classroom use tricky, and the political correctness chapter is downright strange in tone and content.
That said, I’ll definitely use select excerpts to help my middle schoolers explore the history of English.
I originally planned to give it 4 stars, but dropped to 3 because of the final two chapters: “Y’Drunken” and “Zee End” on political correctness. The “Y’Drunken” chapter pushes boundaries that would make classroom use tricky, and the political correctness chapter is downright strange in tone and content.
That said, I’ll definitely use select excerpts to help my middle schoolers explore the history of English.
October 8, 2017
I don't know... Compared to other Horrible Histories I've read, this one was a bit disappointing. And I'm sad about it because I'm very interested in all things language.
There is a bit about the history of English but also a bit about rhymes, riddles, etymology, euphemisms, onomatopoeia, word play... A mix of everything. Well, maybe there wasn't enough about the history of English.
Then, I must admit it, maybe I don't get the English humor... Some of the jokes... I couldn't understand most of them. That was sad.
I liked all the comis, though. Even if I didn't get the jokes.
There is a bit about the history of English but also a bit about rhymes, riddles, etymology, euphemisms, onomatopoeia, word play... A mix of everything. Well, maybe there wasn't enough about the history of English.
Then, I must admit it, maybe I don't get the English humor... Some of the jokes... I couldn't understand most of them. That was sad.
I liked all the comis, though. Even if I didn't get the jokes.
July 1, 2022
So, this one felt a little bit different to the standard Horrible Histories books that you read, and I think because it focuses on a slightly different aspect of that history it actually makes it more interesting than you expect it’s going to be.
Looking at words and their histories has always interested and intrigued me, and this would have been a really good introduction into that part of the world if I had been able to get a hold of it earlier than I did the first time around. But then again, I would have been unbearable to be around so perhaps that is for the best.
Looking at words and their histories has always interested and intrigued me, and this would have been a really good introduction into that part of the world if I had been able to get a hold of it earlier than I did the first time around. But then again, I would have been unbearable to be around so perhaps that is for the best.
December 8, 2020
I can't really remember if I have ever read a Horrible history book so I don't have anything to compare this book too. My honest opinion is that I really enjoyed it. I did end up reading it in more than one sitting, so for me I had a little bit of trouble engaging with some of it.
I love the history of words and I am fascinated by this book and I would definitely recommend people read this book, even though it is aimed at children. Who cares? Its a good book.
I love the history of words and I am fascinated by this book and I would definitely recommend people read this book, even though it is aimed at children. Who cares? Its a good book.
February 12, 2021
Really enjoyed this book, informative as ever and made me laugh out loud. I am interested and intrigued by language so I couldn't pass this up. I would recommend not only this book but the other books in the Horrible Histories series as they are definitely informative and a fun way to learn more about history.
July 1, 2023
Don't think I ever read this one as a kid - still just as funny and interesting though. Wasn't expecting the final section on political correctness, certainly took an optimistic take on where language would have evolved to ten years from writing since we're beyond that now and I don't feel there's been much change.
October 14, 2023
Fun and interesting though the bit towards the end about politically correct language was a bit confusing. Was the author mocking it or not? Hmmm..either way, it didn’t really feel like it fitted in with the rest of the book.
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March 21, 2020Horribles Histories, as always. Fun to read, full of unknown bits and pieces that make reading a fact book enjoyable!
May 16, 2020
It’s an average read.its not amazing but it’s also not terrible
April 27, 2023
A fun look through the 'orrible 'istory of 'orrible words.
January 15, 2024
I just know my little logophile self (who would just casually read dictionaries before bed) would have adored this. True to form, I adored it now. 10000/5*.
June 3, 2024
*2.75
May 21, 2025
13NP
July 11, 2025
No wonder my boys loved this series, witty and fun
December 31, 2023
3.75 stars
October 4, 2016
I give it an O as in outstanding
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews