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Tharoorosaurus

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Shashi Tharoor is the wizard of words. In Tharoorosaurus, he shares fifty-three examples from his vocabulary: unusual words from every letter of the alphabet. You don't have to be a linguaphile to enjoy the fun facts and interesting anecdotes behind the words! Be ready to impress-and say goodbye to your hippopotomonstrosesquipedaliophobia!

247 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 1, 2020

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408 people want to read

About the author

Shashi Tharoor

77 books3,069 followers
Shashi Tharoor is a member of the Indian Parliament from the Thiruvananthapuram constituency in Kerala. He previously served as the United Nations Under-Secretary General for Communications and Public Information and as the Indian Minister of State for External Affairs.

He is also a prolific author, columnist, journalist and a human rights advocate.

He has served on the Board of Overseers of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. He is also an adviser to the International Committee of the Red Cross in Geneva and a Fellow of the New York Institute of the Humanities at New York University. He has also served as a trustee of the Aspen Institute, and the Advisory of the Indo-American Arts Council, the American India Foundation, the World Policy Journal, the Virtue Foundation and the human rights organization Breakthrough He is also a Patron of the Dubai Modern High School and the managing trustee of the Chandran Tharoor Foundation which he founded with his family and friends in the name of his late father, Chandran Tharoor.

Tharoor has written numerous books in English. Most of his literary creations are centred on Indian themes and they are markedly “Indo-nostalgic.” Perhaps his most famous work is The Great Indian Novel, published in 1989, in which he uses the narrative and theme of the famous Indian epic Mahabharata to weave a satirical story of Indian life in a non-linear mode with the characters drawn from the Indian Independence Movement. His novel Show Business (1992) was made into the film 'Bollywood'(1994). The late Ismail Merchant had announced his wish to make a film of Tharoor’s novel Riot shortly before Merchant’s death in 2005.

Tharoor has been a highly-regarded columnist in each of India's three best-known English-language newspapers, most recently for The Hindu newspaper (2001–2008) and in a weekly column, “Shashi on Sunday,” in the Times of India (January 2007 – December 2008). Following his resignation as Minister of State for External Affairs, he began a fortnightly column on foreign policy issues in the "Deccan Chronicle". Previously he was a columnist for the Gentleman magazine and the Indian Express newspaper, as well as a frequent contributor to Newsweek International and the International Herald Tribune. His Op-Eds and book reviews have appeared in the Washington Post, the New York Times and the Los Angeles Times, amongst other papers.

Tharoor began writing at the age of 6 and his first published story appeared in the “Bharat Jyoti”, the Sunday edition of the "Free press Journal", in Mumbai at age 10. His World War II adventure novel Operation Bellows, inspired by the Biggles books, was serialized in the Junior Statesman starting a week before his 11th birthday. Each of his books has been a best-seller in India. The Great Indian Novel is currently in its 28th edition in India and his newest volume. The Elephant, the Tiger and the Cellphone has undergone seven hardback re-printings there.

Tharoor has lectured widely on India, and is often quoted for his observations, including, "India is not, as people keep calling it, an underdeveloped country, but rather, in the context of its history and cultural heritage, a highly developed one in an advanced state of decay.". He has also coined a memorable comparison of India's "thali" to the American "melting pot": "If America is a melting pot, then to me India is a thali--a selection of sumptuous dishes in different bowls. Each tastes different, and does not necessarily mix with the next, but they belong together on the same plate, and they complement each other in making the meal a satisfying repast."

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5 stars
120 (44%)
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104 (38%)
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37 (13%)
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6 (2%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
Profile Image for Arun Divakar.
830 reviews422 followers
January 27, 2021
To borrow Tharoor’s own usage : This is not merely an exercise in floccinaucinihilipilification (this is a real word, do look it up !).

Overall the book is a mixed bag. Tharoor does a splendid job at picking words which are lesser known and giving a layman’s view of how these words would have come into existence and why they would have eventually fallen from grace. Along with this, he also gives examples of how these words are used in sentences so that it becomes easier to understand how to use the word in a real life context.

While I do understand the logic of some of his obviously political works like ‘The Paradoxical Prime Minister’, what is the point in shoving political ideology into a book aimed at educating people (and children mostly) on etymology ? Why present your political views disguised in sentences that specifically employ words with a negative connotation ? As a reader, I specifically chose this book to look for Tharoor’s wordplay and writing skills but apparently the roles of author and politician now seem to be fused into one.

Not my cup of tea.
Profile Image for Sandeep Wanchoo.
3 reviews
September 15, 2020
The Tharoorosaurus is definitely not an exercise in 'Floccinaucinihilipilification', and is a must-read for people with 'Epistemophilia' and for 'Opsimaths'. (And especially if you suffer from 'Lethologica' you'd now have a much cooler backup word to use.)
Profile Image for Kriti.
54 reviews
September 16, 2020
Refreshingly hilarious, Tharoor does not fail to impress with his rendition of a dictionary. With a diverse selection of words, apt for today’s world, political commentary, and biting wit and sarcasm, Tharoor not only educates the reader but involves them in the international political and social discourse. The cute dinosaur illustrations add to the charm and freshness of the book. 10/10 would recommend.
Profile Image for Aabha Sharma.
271 reviews57 followers
October 27, 2020
Dr. Tharoor picks 53 words(one for each week of the year) to discuss and boy does he pick them. There are some pretty obscure words and some very pedestrian common words(troll, umpire, apostrophe) but each has a good reason to be in the book because they pertain to our current world and to India specifically in many cases.

He starts off with the definition, followed by an example of usage, a paragraph on the etymology and then, the best part, his own anecdotes relating to the word that often cheekily critique his political opponents and examples of funny and unique usages of the word that made me squeal with delight.

There are dino themed pictures that accompany each word and while some are incredibly enjoyable a few seem to be made in a bit of a hurry, though they are all perfectly adequate. I would have loved colored pictures in the styles of "lost in translation" and "speaking in tongues" but I am just nitpicking.

The tone of this book is like having a warm chai/coffee, while Dr. Tharoor regales us with words, the stories behind them, incredibly interesting anecdotes and bits of personal history. Through these he sneaks in quite a few moral messages like urging readers to open there eyes to the state of our nation and to strengthen our moral compasses. His love for words and language truly shines. Great little book. Highly recommend.
Profile Image for Sonali Dabade.
Author 4 books333 followers
November 7, 2020
Shashi Tharoor is a walking dictionary, and everybody knows that. So when this book released, where he talks about 53 words, their etymologies, and anecdotes related to them, I knew I had to get my hands on it. And what a fun time I had with it!

Shashi Tharoor is witty and humorous and gets in the odd political jibe now and again. Most importantly, he makes his point - something that is now drilled in my head like no other!

Safe to say, this book is in no danger of floccinaucinihilipilification from me and I'm not going to defenestrate it. So. :)

LOVED this book and would highly, highly recommend it!

Did a full video about this book on my channel.
Here's where you can watch it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Xs2q...
Profile Image for Rose.
60 reviews1 follower
February 4, 2024
Quite interesting. Felt proud of myself after memorising all the words.😃
.
Profile Image for Prasad Rapaka.
51 reviews
October 15, 2024
It's not a hyperbole when I say the reader will be drenched in the raining exmples, particularly, of oxymoron. It is a fun or pun-lover's book written exclusively in the language of language nerds. Tharoorism is the authorism here, one should be to able to enjoy thoroughly.
One missing point in the book---Spoonerisms are more popular among cruciverbalists - you will come across atleast 1-2 Spoonerism clues in the cryptic crossword grids in everyday newspapers.
Profile Image for Aparna.
45 reviews2 followers
September 19, 2020
Well in author’s own words “The love for words is self reinforcing, the more you love, the stronger it grows’. Knowing words, delving deep into its history and origin and understanding the usage completes a short but interesting literary journey, or in order words - reading this lexicon gives you the happiness and refreshes you like a much awaited weekend getaway amidst the ongoing pandemic!
Profile Image for Vivek.
479 reviews25 followers
November 26, 2020
Hooter: Collection of 53 obscure and not so obscure words curated by Shashi Tharoor

This is Shashi Tharoor flexing his brand image as a man of big words especially as obscure as they can get. Quite a few aren't so obscure courtesy him having made them trend on Twitter. The selection of words have been done so to keep current trends and relevance to the Indian English market so probably why you'd have seen / read them. This book could have been a listicle would be my feedback.

Not all have interesting origins which I was hoping for hence making it as humdrum an exercise like reading a telephone directory back to back and most examples of negative usage were in-your-face political jibes at a specific political opponent/ideology.

This book probably works well as a fun gift during Secret Santa but I'd say someone get a listicle up and we are sorted here.
Profile Image for Dipra Lahiri.
800 reviews52 followers
December 19, 2020
Amusing short essays on uncommon words, with background and etymology, and often with a sly take on current Indian politics. Tharoor's wit and enthusiasm for language is infectious.
Profile Image for Ankush Agarwal.
Author 2 books4 followers
March 25, 2021
Instead of waiting for the weekly newspaper article, now you could read Shashi's take on some of the "exotic" words in one book with their interesting etymologies and his commentaries in the contemporary sense. This is the USP of the book and it's also its limitation. It's simply a collection of mini-essays on some of the interesting English words. There are arguably better options available who do this job more comprehensively, but I liked the book viewing it from an Indian perspective.
Profile Image for Amrendra.
347 reviews15 followers
October 13, 2023
Words shape ideas and reflect thought, and the more words you know, the more precisely and effectively are you able to express your thoughts and ideas. In addition, the delight in the way words can be put together and an enquiry in their origins can be an additional source of joy and information on the world, sounds and people around us.

It is with this idea that the word-craftsman and indeed a wizard, Shashi Tharoor has presented to us 53 unique words which are awkward and hilarious at the same time. Ranging alphabetically from Agathokakological to Zugzwang, here you will find many wacky words and short essays on them including their origins and usages.

The book has much content and trivia, and will surely captivate the young and the old alike. Tharoor has put 52 words, one for each week of the year and an extra, the 53rd, for the leap year 2020, which is also the year of publication of this most bizzare compilation.
Profile Image for Aaliya.
20 reviews1 follower
October 28, 2021
Witty and fascinating!
The only book of his I was able to complete,and in no time.
I love to reread it too, cos it never made me bored doing so.I need more of this!!
Profile Image for Rakesh.
73 reviews7 followers
October 6, 2020
I was wondering how could Tharoor make a Thesaurus worth a read and he sure doesn't disappoint. As usual takes a dig at all his political adversaries with flair. With his stories you are sure to add 52 words in your daily lexicon. Enjoyed it.
7 reviews
October 8, 2020
If you love tharoor's writing you'll love this book! Fully of witticisms and brickbats for the modi govt.
Profile Image for Ashima Jain.
Author 3 books38 followers
December 4, 2020
It beats me why I saw the cover and thought this was a book for children. Knowing the author, I was clearly far off the mark. Of course, once I began reading reviews on book groups, I knew better, and since I find myself curiously attracted to books pertaining to the English language (this is my third such book this year), I couldn’t resist.

Shashi Tharoor needs no introduction to his wizardry of words. In Tharoorosaurus – derived from combining the author’s name with Tyrannosaurus and Thesaurus (more on this at the end) – he shares fifty-three samples from his vocabulary: unusual words from every letter of the alphabet.

Now, not all fifty-three words are the rarest of rare. You will find yourself familiar with more than a few of them. However, in explaining these words, he uses history, fun facts and interesting anecdotes behind them. He describes how these words came into the English language and the trajectory of their meanings being altered, often drastically, over time. He lays out examples for their usage and in doing so makes numerous political comments - some subtle, most others not so much.

A couple of weeks ago I reviewed an interesting book, titled The Liar’s Dictionary, which shed light on the creation of words - specifically mountweazels. Tharoorosaurus does not include any mountweazels but The Liar’s Dictionary has undeniably enhanced my experience of reading Tharoorosaurus.

English is infamous for being the language without rules. With Tharoorosaurus, you get to marvel at its absurdity and appreciate all its whims and fancies. The belly-aching laughs are, obviously, a given.
1 review1 follower
June 27, 2021
You may or may not be familiar with the books written by the wizard of words Shashi Tharoor but prima facie you might have acquainted with the exclusive style of English he writes by dint of social media. Yes, there is no denying that Shashi ji with his extensive lexicon is the champion in this realm.
With a list of 53 words having demystified the origin, with the instances of multifarious literary works, history and contemporary issues and to give his admirers the insight by clearing the air that he has no claim in originating those proverbial "unknown words", he has impeccably composed "Tharoorosaurus!".
From "agathokakological" to "zugzwang" the former UN diplomat has evinced his finesse in English and one, who loves to cultivate this language, has to read it.

In my opinion, one who wants to embark on the works of Shashi Tharoor, "Tharoorasaurus" can be the best option for his/her baptism.
Profile Image for Spine Dining.
160 reviews
February 20, 2023
52 - 53 words. and some words are pretty run of the mill. the author uses every excuse he can get for bashing the party in power, which is not the place to do in a book about vocabulary, because then you are shortchanging an already short-changed reader. The book is half the size of your conventional hard-bound book.

the explanations and surrounding discussion are nothing to write home about either. never mind what the bulk of the demographic this was sold to have to say. just goes to show how little it takes to impress the janta. then what keeps you from forming the government, pray tell? you could be up there and the incumbent could be in your place writing vocabulary books to slam your pretty ass, innit?

regret buying the book. all said and done, wasn't a cost-effective deal.
Profile Image for Mayank Doshi.
15 reviews
February 18, 2021
The concept of the book is unique and provides a good rapid read. I am especially happy about learning about the etymology of few of the words and their first recorded usage , as also how words get modified across languages , sometimes by mis pronunciation or sometimes by a clerical error

However, the examples within the book clearly also portrays the political inclination of the author.. atleast 15 words out of 53 would have taken jibes at the ruling party. I might have been okay with 4-5 to take it as a sense of humour but these were about 10 too many for my own liking

He'd better have kept politics away but then if he would have done that, he would have wasted a political opportunity which a good politician would never do !!
Profile Image for Delson Roche.
256 reviews7 followers
October 24, 2021
What a funfilled read. The quizzer in me is satiated, the etymology nerd is happy and the reader in me is content.
Tharoor has picked up words that I think he uses regularly in his tweets, speeches, and writing- but for some like me- with a small range of vocabulary, these words sound exotic. Well, now my world of words has grown up a tenny tiny bit more. Oh, yes I also liked the way his examples taunts the prejudices in right-wing thought. My Epicaricacy knew no bounds, whenever that happened in the book.
Just wish there were more entries.
Profile Image for Hasnat Sujon.
36 reviews16 followers
October 12, 2020
I was intending to write a review on Tharoorosaurus. Then I saw Sandeep Wanchoo's review and surmised that it will suffice just to copy-paste his review with ackowledgment:

"The Tharoorosaurus is definitely not an exercise in 'Floccinaucinihilipilification', and is a must-read for people with 'Epistemophilia' and for 'Opsimaths'. (And especially if you suffer from 'Lethologica' you'd now have a much cooler backup word to use.)
-Sandeep Wanchoo
Profile Image for Nithin V A.
47 reviews10 followers
October 27, 2020
Its a collection of 53 words, along with meaning, origins and usages over different periods. Name of the book comes as a wordplay between 'Tharoor' and 'Thesaurus' . There was around 6-8 pages and a caricature with a dinosaur dedicated for each word , and this doesn't felt boring for a language book.

Have to say Tharoor doesn't miss a beat in this book while criticizing government , Most of his examples for the usage of words came as criticization of government.
Profile Image for Kuntal Sensarma.
70 reviews2 followers
November 8, 2020
A compilation of 53 words - some commonly used nowadays and some quite unique. As he rightly mentions in the Preface, it is for those who love the English vocabulary and loves to play with words!

Tharoor traces the origin of each word and narrates fun facts and related anecdotes. Combines this with sometimes subtle & sometimes overt reference at his political opponents/ party with many such words/ anecdotes.
Profile Image for Sri Priyanka K V.
37 reviews
February 25, 2021
Undoubtedly the wizard of words has done his magic in this book! One can say that learning becomes more desirable if the process is enjoyable. This non- fiction book is filled with humorous pictures, interesting anecdotes and simple descriptions of origin of words. Beautiful wordplay and references to popular creative work make it even more fun. If literature interests you, this book will be worth giving a read!

#booksireadin2021 #enjoyedtheread #srisbookshelf
Profile Image for Karishma Udit Chhatrapati.
Author 10 books6 followers
January 5, 2022
Its more than just a book with new words. So much research into the etymology of each word, with nuggets of history. Enjoyed reading it, word-to-word. I actually ended up checking pronunciations of certain words that caught my interest, and I had never heard before... I do feel this book is close to perfection. The only missing aspect missing is, providing the pronunciation for each word.

Thank god for google at hand!

PS.: It is truly a Shashi Tharoor Book - written eloquently!
Profile Image for Trisha (semi-hiatus).
243 reviews131 followers
December 31, 2020
I really liked this!

Even though it was pretty political in places, which was expected, I found it really enjoyable. Shashi Tharoor excels in in placing concealed digs at the opposition without even taking names. Farrago is one of my favourites because I was there and read it when it was first penned (tweeted?).

I will write a better review, but at a later date!
224 reviews
June 9, 2021
I really liked this!

Even though it was pretty political in places, which was expected, I found it really enjoyable. Shashi Tharoor excels in in placing concealed digs at the opposition without even taking names. Farrago is one of my favourites because I was there and read it when it was first penned (tweeted?).

I will write a better review, but at a later date!
Profile Image for Read With Taran.
528 reviews17 followers
July 7, 2021
Some might think of it as a dictionary of some 50 odd words. However, this is a great guide and maybe an entry point to those who find it hard to understand Tharoor's jargon. There are some really interesting anecdotes associated with the origins of each word. So this is not merely a book on etymology either. All in all another great read by the Tharoorosaurus.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews

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