A Barrel Full of Words: A Treasury of Wordplay [Paperback]

Jim Wegryn (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 19, 2004

English is a funny language. Consider:
Would you call church music organic?
How come it's father, mother, brother, but not sisther?
Why do doctors use a scalpel when they're not operating on your head?
Would you say that an engraver is a cemetery worker?
Isn't it macabre that slaughter is mostly laughter?
Wouldn't it seem that the opposite of formality should be casualty?
Don't sheep have to be deranged before shearing?

Here is a humorous collection of over 1,000 English words-a veritable encyclopedia-including goofinitions, mock antonyms, collective nouns, hyphens, punishing adjectives, bundle words and much more. This is a must-have volume for comedians, speech writers, punsters, toastmasters, English teachers, and all students of language.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Here is a humorous collection of over 1,000 English words—a veritable encyclopedia--including goofinitions, mock antonyms, collective nouns, hyp-hens, punnishing adjectives, bundle words and much more. This is a must-have volume for comedians, speech writers, punsters, toastmasters, English teachers, and all students of language

About the Author

Jim Wegryn is a freelance writer who has published a science fiction novel and is working on several other projects. He is former computer consultant, fiscal analyst, teacher, and technical report writer.

Product Details

• Paperback: 106 pages
• Publisher: iUniverse (January 19, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0595307302
• ISBN-13: 978-0595307302
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,874,961 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wordplay Machinations and Madness!, April 14, 2004

By 

R Siiter (Sparta, NJ United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Barrel Full of Words: A Treasury of Wordplay (Paperback)

For all those fascinated by the oddities and funny contradictions
inherent in the English language, this is a must read. The words
dispensed, discussed, and dissected are not made up words or puns
based on spelling mishaps--every word is real and in the
dictionary. The author's new definitions for old words make a lot
more sense than the dictionary--and are usually much funnier. This
is a perfect bedside book whose parts can be read in any order.
I recommend it highly.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WHAT FUN!, March 28, 2004

By 

maryann piotrowski "avid, eclectic reader" (lexington, MA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Barrel Full of Words: A Treasury of Wordplay (Paperback)

If you like words-and if you like to laugh-you'll enjoy "A Barrel Full of Words." We are all familiar with such collective nouns as "a pride of lions." Wegryn invents "a complex of psychiatrists" and "a mass of priests." He redefines words: "superintend" could mean "really, really mean to." And he makes us wonder about words: "Why is it father, mother, and brother, but not sisther?" After reading the book, you will find that you begin thinking like the author. You'll play with words and they'll play with you. What fun!