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Word Perfect: Etymological Entertainment Every Day
Welcome to a year of wonder through the English language with Susie Dent, lexicographer extraordinaire and queen of Countdown's Dictionary Corner.
From 'Turning a Blind Eye' (Nelson putting the telescope to his missing eye to ignore the order to stop fighting) to why May Day became a distress call; from stealing someone's thunder to the real Jack the Lad, from tartle (forgetting someone's name) to snaccident (unintentionally eating a whole packet of biscuits), Word Perfect is her brilliant linguistic almanac full of unforgettable true stories tied to every day of the year. You'll never be lost for words again.
From 'Turning a Blind Eye' (Nelson putting the telescope to his missing eye to ignore the order to stop fighting) to why May Day became a distress call; from stealing someone's thunder to the real Jack the Lad, from tartle (forgetting someone's name) to snaccident (unintentionally eating a whole packet of biscuits), Word Perfect is her brilliant linguistic almanac full of unforgettable true stories tied to every day of the year. You'll never be lost for words again.
408 pages, Hardcover
First published January 26, 2021
1069 people are currently reading
6640 people want to read
About the author
Susie Dent
26 books506 followersDent was educated at the Marist Convent in Ascot, an independent Roman Catholic day school. She went on to Somerville College, Oxford for her B.A. in modern languages, then to Princeton University for her master's degree in German.
Dent is serves as the resident lexicographer and adjudicator for the letters rounds on long-running British game show Countdown. At the time she began work on Countdown in 1992, she had just started working for the Oxford University Press on producing English dictionaries, having previously worked on bilingual dictionaries.
Dent is serves as the resident lexicographer and adjudicator for the letters rounds on long-running British game show Countdown. At the time she began work on Countdown in 1992, she had just started working for the Oxford University Press on producing English dictionaries, having previously worked on bilingual dictionaries.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 173 reviews
April 14, 2021
Book Reviewed on www.whisperingstories.com
Word Perfect from Susie Dent is a book filled with words you either don’t often hear these days or the original meaning behind these words has long been forgotten. The book is set out in a diary format, so that you have one word a day, beginning on New Years Day with the word ‘Crambazzled’ which in old Yorkshire dialect means to be prematurely aged through excess drinking, a word a lot of people could use on the 1st January.
I love finding new words and some are intriguing such as ‘Choreomania’ which is the compulsion to dance. What’s more, is that every word not only has a definition but it also contains information about its origins and a factual story about something related to it. In this case, in 1374 in the town of Aachen, Germany it is recorded that the citizens congregated en masse and began to dance uncontrollably.
This is a book that will fill those who love to learn and gain knowledge with giddy excitement. 365 words, their origins, meanings, and factual information contained in one book written in an easy-to-understand style, and with the diary format you could choose to learn one new word a day. Although I’m not quite accurate in saying just one word a day or 365 words as each word often has others contained within the information that is related to the given word, so in fact, you are getting a lot more than you would expect.
I enjoyed learning about the words. Whether they will stay in my head and I remember to use them as and when the time arises is a different matter. The book is very British and there will be words that those around the world will never have heard of. There are also some that British people will never have heard of because they are regional words never heard outside of their city of origin or mean something different in different parts of the country.
Overall, this is a book for those who love etymology and want to broaden their range.
Word Perfect from Susie Dent is a book filled with words you either don’t often hear these days or the original meaning behind these words has long been forgotten. The book is set out in a diary format, so that you have one word a day, beginning on New Years Day with the word ‘Crambazzled’ which in old Yorkshire dialect means to be prematurely aged through excess drinking, a word a lot of people could use on the 1st January.
I love finding new words and some are intriguing such as ‘Choreomania’ which is the compulsion to dance. What’s more, is that every word not only has a definition but it also contains information about its origins and a factual story about something related to it. In this case, in 1374 in the town of Aachen, Germany it is recorded that the citizens congregated en masse and began to dance uncontrollably.
This is a book that will fill those who love to learn and gain knowledge with giddy excitement. 365 words, their origins, meanings, and factual information contained in one book written in an easy-to-understand style, and with the diary format you could choose to learn one new word a day. Although I’m not quite accurate in saying just one word a day or 365 words as each word often has others contained within the information that is related to the given word, so in fact, you are getting a lot more than you would expect.
I enjoyed learning about the words. Whether they will stay in my head and I remember to use them as and when the time arises is a different matter. The book is very British and there will be words that those around the world will never have heard of. There are also some that British people will never have heard of because they are regional words never heard outside of their city of origin or mean something different in different parts of the country.
Overall, this is a book for those who love etymology and want to broaden their range.
May 30, 2022
Lately, I have been really enjoying Susie Dent’s “word of the day” tweets, they have helped me through a rather bleak feeling winter, so I just had to pick up a copy of Word Perfect. It did not disappoint!
It contains a different word for each day of the year, followed by a story and/or the etymology. It’s endlessly fascinating how the meaning of words change over the years/centuries.
Language is fluid; beautiful and expressive. This was the ideal book to read through whilst I am currently fixated on words and language, which is a writer’s dream.
This will make for perfect writing prompts, whether for personal journaling or further, future works. I may go back over it and read one word a day starting in the new year so they don’t escape my mind, and try to write a short story or poem around each word. I want to become a better writer, I know my skills will allow it the more I practice. Then maybe one day, I shall be comfortable enough to share my work with others.
It contains a different word for each day of the year, followed by a story and/or the etymology. It’s endlessly fascinating how the meaning of words change over the years/centuries.
Language is fluid; beautiful and expressive. This was the ideal book to read through whilst I am currently fixated on words and language, which is a writer’s dream.
This will make for perfect writing prompts, whether for personal journaling or further, future works. I may go back over it and read one word a day starting in the new year so they don’t escape my mind, and try to write a short story or poem around each word. I want to become a better writer, I know my skills will allow it the more I practice. Then maybe one day, I shall be comfortable enough to share my work with others.
October 31, 2020
I love words...... so what is there not to like 😁
This was bought for my birthday by my friend. She knows me well. 😁
This was bought for my birthday by my friend. She knows me well. 😁
January 11, 2024
The perfect way to kick off a new season of reading! Written by lexicographer and British television icon Susie Dent, it's jam-packed with interesting word facts for every day of the year. I started reading the entry for January 1, fittingly, on January 1. (January 1's word, in case you were curious, is 'crambazzled.') I had some high-minded idea that I might read the whole thing in tiny spoonfuls, just as it's organized: one entry every day until next December 31. Well, that idea fell by the wayside faster than a lickspigot turns up at the smell of beer! (Did you know that 'lickspigot' is a word? Now you do!) The entries are smart and pithy and fun, and the words themselves are so often just plain whacky, and it was far too difficult to rein myself in. Read it, word nerds. It's a delight.
July 1, 2024
It’s tempting to call Susie Dent a walking dictionary, but she’s more often seen sitting behind a desk, mostly on the quiz show Countdown, where she has been the resident lexicographer in Dictionary Corner since 1992.
The publication of her latest book caused something of a stir, as the initial print run contained numerous errors; an unfortunate irony, given its title: Word Perfect. The author had sent the final proofs for correction, but somehow the editing process failed, with Covid measures blamed for a glitch in the system. New copies were hastily printed, minus typos, though perhaps those in the original print run might end up as collectors’ items.
Susie posts a word a day on Twitter, so her editor at publishers John Murray suggested that she could compile these entries in a compendium and the result is Word Perfect: Etymological Entertainment for Every Day of the Year.
An assortment of words, familiar and unfamiliar, are presented, in date order. For example, the entry for January 1st is crambazzled, an old Yorkshire word meaning prematurely aged from heavy drinking, referencing the “morning after” state revellers suffer after seeing the New Year in. It’s an unusual word to start the year, but the following entry is one we more readily associate with January: the two-headed Roman god Janus, who gave his name to the month.
This format means that the book doesn’t have to read in strict order, or even from cover to cover. It would be fine to leave out sections you find unappealing and fast forward to a more interesting bit. (Just like I do when Joe Wilkinson turns up on 8 out of 10 Cats Does Countdown.)
It’s full of interesting titbits that you can treat like a selection box of biscuits, choosing those that take your fancy and skipping over the others: rather than devouring it whole from cover to cover, it's something you might prefer to dip into from time to time.
Word Perfect: Etymological Entertainment for Every Day of the Year
Currently available in hardback priced £14.99. Publishers John Murray
The publication of her latest book caused something of a stir, as the initial print run contained numerous errors; an unfortunate irony, given its title: Word Perfect. The author had sent the final proofs for correction, but somehow the editing process failed, with Covid measures blamed for a glitch in the system. New copies were hastily printed, minus typos, though perhaps those in the original print run might end up as collectors’ items.
Susie posts a word a day on Twitter, so her editor at publishers John Murray suggested that she could compile these entries in a compendium and the result is Word Perfect: Etymological Entertainment for Every Day of the Year.
An assortment of words, familiar and unfamiliar, are presented, in date order. For example, the entry for January 1st is crambazzled, an old Yorkshire word meaning prematurely aged from heavy drinking, referencing the “morning after” state revellers suffer after seeing the New Year in. It’s an unusual word to start the year, but the following entry is one we more readily associate with January: the two-headed Roman god Janus, who gave his name to the month.
This format means that the book doesn’t have to read in strict order, or even from cover to cover. It would be fine to leave out sections you find unappealing and fast forward to a more interesting bit. (Just like I do when Joe Wilkinson turns up on 8 out of 10 Cats Does Countdown.)
It’s full of interesting titbits that you can treat like a selection box of biscuits, choosing those that take your fancy and skipping over the others: rather than devouring it whole from cover to cover, it's something you might prefer to dip into from time to time.
Word Perfect: Etymological Entertainment for Every Day of the Year
Currently available in hardback priced £14.99. Publishers John Murray
December 31, 2024
And it is over! I started reading this book at the beginning of the year and decided to read the ‘word of the day’ every day of the year (a few days were missed and caught up with) but on the whole I kept up with it! This book contains a myriad of words which are all equally interesting! I hope all the people who have received messages from me or had to listen to my fun new etymology facts this year have enjoyed it as much as I have. I love Susie Dent and this definitely was Word Perfect!
December 30, 2022
i had so much fun reading this all year. the concept is one word every day, giving its origins and some fun facts about the day, related words and various other good info. i’m glad i stuck at it and just read my daily word every day all year (but i couldn’t set the proper dates for it on goodreads because i don’t want my average reading time messed with 😅)
really recommend this for anyone who’s interested in words and language or just fancies something very small to get into the habit of reading each day (most entries are one page or less)
really recommend this for anyone who’s interested in words and language or just fancies something very small to get into the habit of reading each day (most entries are one page or less)
December 1, 2020
OK so I haven't read it all yet, I'm cheating. I cannot wait nearly another year to review the book though, it is by design a book to dip in to day by day. It is excellently researched and written and a joy to read. There are 'words of the day'and these are anchored to historical events & people significant to the day. It's interesting, informative and just a joy to visit every day. I highly recomend this
November 16, 2022
Today I finally completed this. Was reading a word every day from the 1st of January last year but fell off about halfway through. Picked it up again in November and today I covered the last page that I missed. Great fun!
August 28, 2022
This was probably the most fun nonfiction book I’ve read. A book entirely about words could seem hit or miss, but this was super interesting. For every day of the year, Susie Dent talks about a related phrase or word and dives into its etymology. For example, “stealing someone’s thunder” refers to a man who quite literally stole a stage effect that sounds like thunder to use in his play. “Turning a blind eye” originated with the partially blind admiral Horatio Nelson being unable to see a ship coming from his side. I also learned lots of fun words like “crambazzled” and “hurkle-durkle”. It probably helps that I have a short attention span and like learning random facts. This book has piqued my interest in etymology.
June 25, 2023
I've read this book almost every day for the last year as you should.
Every day has been a delight of discovery. Filled with interesting etymology and fascinating bits of trivia, Susie Dent picks a word a day (often related to an event that happened on that date) and takes us on a journey of exploration.
Throughout the year, I've learned the surprising origins of old and common words and discovered new words that I'm trying to introduce to my conversation.
My favourite new words are snaccident (e.g. inadvertently eating a whole packet of biscuits) and procaffeination (the inability to do anything without having a coffee first).
Every day has been a delight of discovery. Filled with interesting etymology and fascinating bits of trivia, Susie Dent picks a word a day (often related to an event that happened on that date) and takes us on a journey of exploration.
Throughout the year, I've learned the surprising origins of old and common words and discovered new words that I'm trying to introduce to my conversation.
My favourite new words are snaccident (e.g. inadvertently eating a whole packet of biscuits) and procaffeination (the inability to do anything without having a coffee first).
December 31, 2021
Fun! Some origins weren't news to me, but overall this was a very interesting read that I went back to every day this year. It's sometimes very English but that was to be expected.
March 8, 2024
Finally, after a year of daily readings, I am done.
This book is all about the etymology of various words. A delightful journey into the history of words.
Do I remember any of the etymologies?
Probably not...
But my appreciation for our English language is still there.
All words have a birthplace. That's beautiful!
This book is all about the etymology of various words. A delightful journey into the history of words.
Do I remember any of the etymologies?
Probably not...
But my appreciation for our English language is still there.
All words have a birthplace. That's beautiful!
October 24, 2024
Susie Dent's Word Perfect is a book that takes a year to read. It's not because it's boring, which Jimmy Carr would likely want you to believe based on his comments in 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown. It's because it has a word for every day of the year related to that day of the year. It's more rewarding to read each chapter on the intended day instead of blasting through it like a Dean Koontz mass market paperback.
Yes, that makes it a book for word nerds.
*Holds up hand and admits to being guilty.*
Yes, that makes it a book for word nerds.
*Holds up hand and admits to being guilty.*
December 24, 2022
DNF 50%.
Read the last days of December to fit in this year.
However, I am not bringing this through to 2023. I found it so dull and boring. I expected it to be a bit more interesting and it was like she had found all the dull and boring explanations ever.
Read the last days of December to fit in this year.
However, I am not bringing this through to 2023. I found it so dull and boring. I expected it to be a bit more interesting and it was like she had found all the dull and boring explanations ever.
December 31, 2022
Susie, it’s been a pleasure having your wonderful and intelligent company throughout this year. Rather ironically, I can’t find the exact words to express my respect and admiration for this book, but just know they’re there!
When I was younger, my family and I would sit at the dinner table every night and, as a point of discourse, ask each other what we have learnt each day. If only I had this book back then - how impressed they would have been!
Informative and witty with that Susie Dent charm, word perfect.
When I was younger, my family and I would sit at the dinner table every night and, as a point of discourse, ask each other what we have learnt each day. If only I had this book back then - how impressed they would have been!
Informative and witty with that Susie Dent charm, word perfect.
December 7, 2022
I read this book over a year and a half, and it was a great pleasure. It is written lightly, with a page or so for each day's entry, and it covers words from a variety of angles - historical use, etymology, cognates, synonyms, antonyms, anecdotes related to them. While there were some super-rare words that didn't strike me as that interesting, there was a huge number of fascinating etymologies, curious word relations, and words I would like to start using.
December 31, 2022
A trusted companion through the year 2022, first book that I started and the last book to end the year. Susie Dent takes us on a journey to unknown or forgotten English words and stories linked to them. A book to grab hold of everyday, even when finished you'll grab it on occasions to browse to certain days.
May 7, 2024
Magic. Reminded me how wonderful words and language is - and how it never stands still. Susie made it fun whilst you learnt loads. It quickly became the bedtime read - either silent or out loud! Easy to put down and a joy to pick up! Time to go and scurryfunge.
July 30, 2024
If you love words you’ll find this book an absolute delight.
If you love Susie Dent - who doesn’t? - then it’ll shift your enjoyment of this book to another level.
It’s filled with the etymology of words that we use every day, along with some words that have fallen out of fashion.
It’s enlightening, witty, pithy and I absolutely loved it. An easy five stars.
If you love Susie Dent - who doesn’t? - then it’ll shift your enjoyment of this book to another level.
It’s filled with the etymology of words that we use every day, along with some words that have fallen out of fashion.
It’s enlightening, witty, pithy and I absolutely loved it. An easy five stars.
December 26, 2021
I love Susie Dent's collection of useful and fascinating words. It's a great book for anyone who loves language.
January 1, 2022
Throughout a year of ups and downs, this book has been a happy constant. A daily dose of informative nuggets on words and phrases, some new and some familiar, but maybe not fully understood until reading their entry. I even had the pleasure of taking in Susie's "The Secret Life of Words" tour whilst reading this, which referenced some entries from the book, but discussed a lot more. Susie Dent may seem a little quiet and mousy on Countdown, but she is very witty and has an infectious passion for words, which really came across in her stage show and also does in this book.
April 1, 2022
An entertaining and digestible introduction to etymology
July 4, 2022
Thank you my lovely for getting this for me.
August 3, 2022
Enjoyable read, fascinating but not spectacular so to speak.
August 28, 2023
Dent is always delightful
December 25, 2023
So good! Finished it a bit early so I can leave it at my family's house lmao
The lovely Susie Dent taught me so many fun words this year, really really enjoyed!
The lovely Susie Dent taught me so many fun words this year, really really enjoyed!
December 31, 2025
Absolutely brilliant. An very enjoyable daily read. There were many words I had never heard of before. A real treat for the vocabulary.
January 2, 2026
This is indeed etymological entertainment for every day of the year. I read it like a diary, and found it both enjoyable and interesting.
If you love words, you'll love this gem. 💎
If you love words, you'll love this gem. 💎
December 30, 2022
Every day, a brief history of a main word, but you actually learn of many words. I really enjoy learning about how language has morphed and Dent does it in a way that is fun and easy to consume.
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