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The Little Book of Lost Words: Collywobbles, Snollygosters, and 86 Other Surprisingly Useful Terms Worth Resurrecting
The founder of
History Hustle
presents a handy guide for expressing yourself with history's best words.
This collection features scores of unique words from history that deal with surprisingly modern issues like sleeping in and procrastination--proving that some things never change! The Little Book of Lost Words presents each term that's ready to be brought back into modern-day use, complete with definition, hilarious sample sentence, and cheeky historical art. You'll learn new words for the cozy room where you like to Netflix and chill (snuggery), for a dishonest politician (snollygoster), and for a young person who sleeps through the day and doesn't work (dewdropper). If you like Lost in Translation, Shakespeare Insult Generator, Drunk History, and Roald Dahl--and you delight in the way words like blatteroon and flapdoodle roll off the tongue--then you're the word lover this book was written for. Want to know what a fizgig or groke is? Read this book!
This collection features scores of unique words from history that deal with surprisingly modern issues like sleeping in and procrastination--proving that some things never change! The Little Book of Lost Words presents each term that's ready to be brought back into modern-day use, complete with definition, hilarious sample sentence, and cheeky historical art. You'll learn new words for the cozy room where you like to Netflix and chill (snuggery), for a dishonest politician (snollygoster), and for a young person who sleeps through the day and doesn't work (dewdropper). If you like Lost in Translation, Shakespeare Insult Generator, Drunk History, and Roald Dahl--and you delight in the way words like blatteroon and flapdoodle roll off the tongue--then you're the word lover this book was written for. Want to know what a fizgig or groke is? Read this book!
192 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 3, 2019
53 people are currently reading
1160 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
January 2, 2020
Well, ‘maffick’ is a good word for the New Year celebrations: To celebrate in an extravagant, rowdy manner. This is an interesting little book, best suited for the coffee table (or the toilet reading shelf) than a Kindle or tablet. Each word is illustrated with a painting; however, a major quibble for me is that these artworks are not hyperlinked, which means an e-reader has to toggle backwards and forwards maddeningly for the references, which is extremely frustrating.
Apart from a phonetic pronunciation guide, and an estimated date of a word’s origin, there is no other etymological detail, which I feel is a wasted opportunity. I would also have divvied this book up into different sections, such as etiquette, manners, politics, conversation, etc. The fact that the nearly 100 ‘out of fashion’ words here are simply lumped together is good for an aimless ramble, but better organisation would assist the casual reader greatly in retention.
Joe Gillard writes in his Introduction that “I created this book to meet the demands of the modern speaker or writer to preserve language, colourfully express unique emotions, and personally connect to a rich history.”
He highlights that, even in the time of Chaucer, Shakespeare, and Dickens, English was a hotbed of linguistic experimentation (and miscegenation). These are far from “dusty, archaic” words. Instead, they evoke a sense of their prevailing zeitgeist and socio-political context. Hence this book is not a lot of flapdoodle or fandangle, but a call to linguistic arms. Down with humbuggery!
Apart from a phonetic pronunciation guide, and an estimated date of a word’s origin, there is no other etymological detail, which I feel is a wasted opportunity. I would also have divvied this book up into different sections, such as etiquette, manners, politics, conversation, etc. The fact that the nearly 100 ‘out of fashion’ words here are simply lumped together is good for an aimless ramble, but better organisation would assist the casual reader greatly in retention.
Joe Gillard writes in his Introduction that “I created this book to meet the demands of the modern speaker or writer to preserve language, colourfully express unique emotions, and personally connect to a rich history.”
He highlights that, even in the time of Chaucer, Shakespeare, and Dickens, English was a hotbed of linguistic experimentation (and miscegenation). These are far from “dusty, archaic” words. Instead, they evoke a sense of their prevailing zeitgeist and socio-political context. Hence this book is not a lot of flapdoodle or fandangle, but a call to linguistic arms. Down with humbuggery!
January 26, 2020
I can imagine this being a lovely gift for someone who is intrigued by words or desires to expand their vocabulary. The accompanying paintings are gorgeous. It was fun to pronounce each word out loud, then read the definition and finally, laugh at the word used in a present day sentence.
My favorite examples:
"HONEYFUGGLE (huhn-ee-fuhg-uhl)"
Definition: "To compliment or flatter someone to get what you want."
Used in a sentence: "Ben wanted to play PS4 online, but had to honeyfuggle his girlfriend first."
"WAMBLECROPT (wahm-buhl-krahpt)"
Definition: "severe digestive discomfort."
Used in a sentence: "Hot sauce gave her wamblecropt, but she couldn't say no to the challenge."
My favorite examples:
"HONEYFUGGLE (huhn-ee-fuhg-uhl)"
Definition: "To compliment or flatter someone to get what you want."
Used in a sentence: "Ben wanted to play PS4 online, but had to honeyfuggle his girlfriend first."
"WAMBLECROPT (wahm-buhl-krahpt)"
Definition: "severe digestive discomfort."
Used in a sentence: "Hot sauce gave her wamblecropt, but she couldn't say no to the challenge."
November 10, 2019
Such a fun, humorous book
Read
October 8, 2019THE LITTLE BOOK OF LOST WORDS will turn you into an ultracrepidarian. Don’t be a blatteroon, be better than a fopdoodle, and absquatulate to your favorite snuggery with your grimalkin. Your new vocabulary will verily impress any frumberdling you come across. Make yourself a notekin and get this book for all your compeers.
September 2, 2019
This book is a really a little coffeetable book, meant for opening on a whim. That didn't stop me from reading it all the way through though...
Words are accompanied by their definition, pronunciation, and an example sentence. The word information is accompanied by a colored painting on the alternate page.
This is a fun book in the sense that forgotten words are just fun! Admittedly, I did recognize a few but then again this is not my first foray into a book of weird old words.
I found one major annoyance while reading this which was that the example sentences used under each word were often politically minded (and I don't mean that in a good way). I fear this will severely date the book in a few years. I would have much preferred a more whimsical, fun style of examples that matched the rest of the contents.
Other than that, this would be a good little gift for the bibliophiles, grammar geeks, or wordsmiths in your life.
Words are accompanied by their definition, pronunciation, and an example sentence. The word information is accompanied by a colored painting on the alternate page.
This is a fun book in the sense that forgotten words are just fun! Admittedly, I did recognize a few but then again this is not my first foray into a book of weird old words.
I found one major annoyance while reading this which was that the example sentences used under each word were often politically minded (and I don't mean that in a good way). I fear this will severely date the book in a few years. I would have much preferred a more whimsical, fun style of examples that matched the rest of the contents.
Other than that, this would be a good little gift for the bibliophiles, grammar geeks, or wordsmiths in your life.
September 10, 2019
Love this book! I was amazed by how relatable and applicable many of these old words were. The blend of history with modern references was really fun—it’s like a book full of memes with actual historical substance. It’s the ideal giftbook for any word-lover in your life. I’ll be buying a few as holiday gifts for word- and history-loving friends.
August 12, 2022
hear me out:
we are in an argument and i call you a mumpsimus.
one cannot recover from that
we are in an argument and i call you a mumpsimus.
one cannot recover from that
August 6, 2022
This is a small and short “coffee table” book designed to be picked at random and read. I delighted in the words no longer or rarely used. I laughed uproariously at some words and the meaning along with their modern day context. My only problem now is to remember a vast amount of them to insert into every day conversation.
October 21, 2019
For those who love words, you might want to read this book. It's a fast read and kind of reads like a coffee table book in a way. While I was hoping to see more of an OED (oxford english dictionary) kind of thing with etymology etc, the book and the lost words were enjoyable. The strength of it was in the examples the authors used to demonstrate the meaning in a sentence after defining it. Modern examples made for moments of delight.
September 23, 2022
This is a fun book of archaic words the author wants to see in use! Some I already knew, some I'd never use, but about half are ones we really could, usefully, re-add to the language!
October 2, 2019
I loved this book. First, I read an article on Mental Floss and bought the book right away. I've been reading a lot about words, etimology and the like. I'm trying to find some material in Portuguese as fun and as creative as this one but without success. It's nice to have this glimpse through English, though.
The examples were the downside of the book for me. I know Gillard wanted to propose a revival, but that's not possible. It is magical to create our own words, handle our language with our resources.
I loved the illustrations. They're beautifil even when they're creepy.
The examples were the downside of the book for me. I know Gillard wanted to propose a revival, but that's not possible. It is magical to create our own words, handle our language with our resources.
I loved the illustrations. They're beautifil even when they're creepy.
April 21, 2020
Cute and humorous little book. I appreciated the art paired with each vocabulary word.
Read
December 12, 2021Absolutely hilarious! Great little collection of forgotten words.
February 21, 2024
words cannot express how much I love this book. I will be using scambler and snollygoster as an insult from now on and I now find myself groking and rizzling quite a bit. I shall now go latibulate until I find another book like this.
January 10, 2023
Light but intriguing.
August 16, 2025
I had a ton of fun. I saw it and I knew I wanted it. I loved learning new old words and new insults to use. I also got a lot of laugh from some of them. I can't wait to use them in real life.
August 21, 2020
Fun read with enjoyable vocabulary. I've listed ones that caught my attention and bolded my favourites.
Apanthropy - a desire to be alone; a distaste for the company of others.
Aquabib - a water-drinker. A teetotaler.
Betweenity - being in the middle, or between two things.
Compeer - a close companion, comrade, or ally.
Egrote - to pretend to be sick.
Fabulosity - an exaggerated statement or story that's completely made up.
Famelicose - constantly hungry.
Flapdoodle - foolish and blatantly false ideas or words.
Fogo - an overpowering and unpleasant stench.
Froonce - to frolic exuberantly with noise and energy.
Fudgel - to pretend to work without actually doing anything.
Grimalkin - a cat.
Groke - to stare eagerly at someone who is eating, hoping they'll give you food.
Humgruffin - an appalling, hideous, repulsive person.
Latibulate - to hide in a corner.
Minikin - a small, petite creature or person.
Mumpsimus - a stubborn person who refuses to change their mind despite being proven wrong.
Namelings - people who possess the same name.
Pamphagous - eats everything.
Prickmedainty - an overly nice person.
Quanked - exhausted or fatigued from hard work.
Ramfeezled - exhausted from a hard day of work.
Rizzle - to relax and digest after consuming a large meal.
Scambler - an uninvited guest who appears only at mealtimes.
Shivviness - the unpleasant or itchy feeling that comes from wearing new underwear.
Snollygoster - a dishonest, corrupt, and unprincipled person, esp. a politician.
Sonntagsleerung - the depression one feels on Sunday before the week begins.
Uhtceare - lying awake in bed feeling anxious.
Waggish - mischievously humorous. Silly in a facetious way.
Wamblecropt - severe digestive discomfort.
Apanthropy - a desire to be alone; a distaste for the company of others.
Aquabib - a water-drinker. A teetotaler.
Betweenity - being in the middle, or between two things.
Compeer - a close companion, comrade, or ally.
Egrote - to pretend to be sick.
Fabulosity - an exaggerated statement or story that's completely made up.
Famelicose - constantly hungry.
Flapdoodle - foolish and blatantly false ideas or words.
Fogo - an overpowering and unpleasant stench.
Froonce - to frolic exuberantly with noise and energy.
Fudgel - to pretend to work without actually doing anything.
Grimalkin - a cat.
Groke - to stare eagerly at someone who is eating, hoping they'll give you food.
Humgruffin - an appalling, hideous, repulsive person.
Latibulate - to hide in a corner.
Minikin - a small, petite creature or person.
Mumpsimus - a stubborn person who refuses to change their mind despite being proven wrong.
Namelings - people who possess the same name.
Pamphagous - eats everything.
Prickmedainty - an overly nice person.
Quanked - exhausted or fatigued from hard work.
Ramfeezled - exhausted from a hard day of work.
Rizzle - to relax and digest after consuming a large meal.
Scambler - an uninvited guest who appears only at mealtimes.
Shivviness - the unpleasant or itchy feeling that comes from wearing new underwear.
Snollygoster - a dishonest, corrupt, and unprincipled person, esp. a politician.
Sonntagsleerung - the depression one feels on Sunday before the week begins.
Uhtceare - lying awake in bed feeling anxious.
Waggish - mischievously humorous. Silly in a facetious way.
Wamblecropt - severe digestive discomfort.
June 9, 2021
My dearest love apples,
Just a notekin from your favorite minkin! Do not be a ninnyhammer, go forth and purchase this adorable, hardback book, which mayhap become your favorite read of 2021! So find your favorite snuggery, bring a drink (whether you be an aquabib or prefer a homerkin) while you read... And enjoy a prandicle while you're at it.
Verily yours, Captivated Reader.
In the above written paragraph, I used ten of the words (the words are in bold) I discovered from my latest read. I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Little Book of Lost Words: Collywobbles, Snollygosters, and 86 Other Surprisingly Useful Terms Worth Resurrecting by Joe Gillard. I highly recommend this book to other people who love words.
I love nonfiction, hardback books that can also double as coffee table books and feature unique topics, like words, or other unique topics!
The Little Book of Lost Words is a really quick read, well organized, and is also a fun book to read and share with others. It contains an introduction by the author, plus 88 words listed in alphabetical order. Each word has a pronunciation guide, what part of speech (noun, verb, adjective, etc.) it is, the origin of the word, definition of the word, and a sentence using the word.
Additionally, there is a classical looking painting positioned on the page opposite of each word listed in this book for interesting visual stimulation. The books ends with an acknowledgements section, art credits section and an 'about the author' blurb.
Do I have a favorite word I learned from The Little Book of Lost Words? No, there are too many words shared within this book for me to have a single favorite word.
Just a notekin from your favorite minkin! Do not be a ninnyhammer, go forth and purchase this adorable, hardback book, which mayhap become your favorite read of 2021! So find your favorite snuggery, bring a drink (whether you be an aquabib or prefer a homerkin) while you read... And enjoy a prandicle while you're at it.
Verily yours, Captivated Reader.
In the above written paragraph, I used ten of the words (the words are in bold) I discovered from my latest read. I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Little Book of Lost Words: Collywobbles, Snollygosters, and 86 Other Surprisingly Useful Terms Worth Resurrecting by Joe Gillard. I highly recommend this book to other people who love words.
I love nonfiction, hardback books that can also double as coffee table books and feature unique topics, like words, or other unique topics!
The Little Book of Lost Words is a really quick read, well organized, and is also a fun book to read and share with others. It contains an introduction by the author, plus 88 words listed in alphabetical order. Each word has a pronunciation guide, what part of speech (noun, verb, adjective, etc.) it is, the origin of the word, definition of the word, and a sentence using the word.
Additionally, there is a classical looking painting positioned on the page opposite of each word listed in this book for interesting visual stimulation. The books ends with an acknowledgements section, art credits section and an 'about the author' blurb.
Do I have a favorite word I learned from The Little Book of Lost Words? No, there are too many words shared within this book for me to have a single favorite word.
July 12, 2021
I have totally fallen in love with this book. If I had this author teach me English at school I might have actually paid attention. This book has about 90 rare words, ranging from the 16th to 19th century. Each word is paired with a historical painting to convey it's meaning. The words are plainly defined, sometimes by one sentence or by two words. For example, "love apple," which means, "tomato." I especially loved the example sentences that went with it. They were filled with humor and wit. I read this book in two hours. I couldn't put it down.
One of the words I was glad isn't commonly used was Grimalkin.
Grimalkin: [noun, 16th century] a cat. Paired with Renoir's painting, Woman with Cat, 1875
I think cat is much simpler! Plus Grimalkin makes me think of Gremlins and I can't live with my cat with that thought in the back of my mind!
Another word I thought was interesting was Aprosexia. I immediately thought it was going to be a naughty word. It is not.
Aprosexia: [noun; 19th century; medical terminology] a complete inability to focus or concrete due to a distracted, wandering mind. Paired with Renoir's detail of Eugene Murer, 1877.
It's a medical term I could relate to. Guess I need to get my mind out of the gutter.
Great words and beautiful works of art.
Overall, a very enjoyable read.
One of the words I was glad isn't commonly used was Grimalkin.
Grimalkin: [noun, 16th century] a cat. Paired with Renoir's painting, Woman with Cat, 1875
I think cat is much simpler! Plus Grimalkin makes me think of Gremlins and I can't live with my cat with that thought in the back of my mind!
Another word I thought was interesting was Aprosexia. I immediately thought it was going to be a naughty word. It is not.
Aprosexia: [noun; 19th century; medical terminology] a complete inability to focus or concrete due to a distracted, wandering mind. Paired with Renoir's detail of Eugene Murer, 1877.
It's a medical term I could relate to. Guess I need to get my mind out of the gutter.
Great words and beautiful works of art.
Overall, a very enjoyable read.
April 27, 2021
I love words, the stranger the better. My beef with this book is not that he didn’t include many words I had never heard of, he did, but that he gave no history to their meaning beyond a century and a country – sixteenth century English was all you got. Several of the words I had a good idea as to their origin (Mafficking, from the celebrations after the battle of Mafeking, gardyloo, from the French Guardez l’eau, or watch out for the water as chamber pots were emptied from the upper storeys of houses packed too close together. And about which the author says only Seventeenth century Scottish. Scottish? Many of the words included must have had interesting back stories that were completely missing. Ninnyhammer? Groke? The illustrations were fun being chosen from historical art and the meanings of some words were interesting. But a fair number did not seem remarkable in any way – fandangle, collywobbles, humbuggery for example
January 2, 2021
The kind of book you find at the entrance to a Barnes and Noble bookstore. Fans of language will read it, enjoyably, in under an hour.
If you get too interested, you may try to source some of the words; you will succeed with some and fail miserably with others. While the well-chosen classical paintings with each entry are well-sourced at the back of the book, the words themselves are attributed with little more than, E. G., "Seventeenth century. Scottish."
Its a nice little book to read once and move on.
If you get too interested, you may try to source some of the words; you will succeed with some and fail miserably with others. While the well-chosen classical paintings with each entry are well-sourced at the back of the book, the words themselves are attributed with little more than, E. G., "Seventeenth century. Scottish."
Its a nice little book to read once and move on.
May 20, 2023
When I encountered the word rapscallion in this volume, I was surprised at the idea that it had to be resurrected. I had heard it in Disney Movies and Let's Plays believe it or not, and it was refreshing to see it in a book too. While yes, most of these words are dated, I appreciate that the author has put them in a modern context for misuderstood millenials and bored writers. I think I would have liked it more if it wasn't a picture book and actually researched the depth of where the words came from. Nevertheless we have them and they're still worth spicing up sentences with.
March 7, 2020
A humorous reference book that combines history, art, and the English language to provide the reader with the knowledge of words they never thought they would need. If you wish to discover new-to-you words like "famelicose," or "ninnyhammer" (both of which are not recognized as real words on a computer), then pick this book up today!
March 24, 2020
Words are wonderful and some of these are soo fun to say. One of my coworkers said I could surprise him with a new word often then. It would break up the monotony. The pictures of the time periods by the words were totally cool. A book to keep right next to the dictionary and thesaurus. A real treasure.
December 20, 2020
I finished this book months ago but completely forgot to update it in Goodreads.
It's a fun book, but probably not one everyone else will think is fun. I enjoyed it but wanted even more. 🙂 Honestly it could have been twice as long and I'd have enjoyed it more. There weren't many words I didn't already know.
It's a fun book, but probably not one everyone else will think is fun. I enjoyed it but wanted even more. 🙂 Honestly it could have been twice as long and I'd have enjoyed it more. There weren't many words I didn't already know.
February 5, 2022
As noted in other reviews, I would like this book to be republished with etymologies included and a better organizational structure (ie grouping terms instead of one long laundry list, to help with retention).
If the content of little tome thrills you, check out Schottenfreude by Ben Schott as well.
If the content of little tome thrills you, check out Schottenfreude by Ben Schott as well.
December 27, 2020
Super fun little read! Really enjoyed the painting pairings with each definition, and the hilarious example sentences using each word. A perfect gift for anyone who loves words, art history, or trivia.
January 9, 2021
Great little book a friend gave me for Christmas. I'm starting to enter writing competitions and this book has some great, infrequently used words to spice up my writing. Recommend this book for writers and lovers of the English language.
April 3, 2022
you could read this book, small and easy as it is with some nice art choices, or you could follow the grandiloquent word of the day facebook page and get more bang for your buck (like a longer etymology of the word or phrase in question)
May 31, 2022
Cute and fun. A very quick read as each page is a word, definition, and a classic painting on the opposite page.
I did make a list of a few words to add to my conversations as appropriate. I expect eyerolls from my friends. :)
I did make a list of a few words to add to my conversations as appropriate. I expect eyerolls from my friends. :)
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