Customer Reviews

The Disheveled Dictionary: A Curious Caper Through Our Sumptuous Lexicon

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3 star:		(2)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

Amaze your friends, confound your competitors... you're sure to find a half-dozen or so words that are too good not to sprinkle into daily conversation. Gordon's selective dictionary covers the traditional bases by giving definitions and word origins, and using words in sentences, but any similarity to a conventional dictionary ends there (well, it's in alphabetical order, too). It is Gordon's selection of words and phrases and her inspired illustration of their use that make this little book so thoroughly enjoyable. New (to me) words like "callipygian" and "persiflage" are held up to the light by a variety of eccentric characters and fictional excerpts. Even old favorites and less exotic words are given a fresh coat of varnish in Gordon's baroque treatment. The book ambles, rambles, and diverts itself. A treat for anyone who loves the language. Keep it nearby and browse at random.

I found this book incredibly entertaining, and I loved Ms. Gordon's hilarious illustrating sentences and mini-stories. It is obvious that she has a true passion for words, in and of themselves. If you share this passion, you will LOVE this book. If you already have a good vocabulary and are interested in increasing it, you will REALLY LIKE this book. If you are struggling with language AT ALL in ANY WAY, this book will confuse you and probably be a total waste of your money. THE DISHEVLED DICTIONARY is a unique and wonderful rollercoaster ride for the senses, but it's a mental workout, too. Make sure you're ready for both.

What lovely playthings words are!
I enjoyed reviewing old words I've forgotten to use. I spoke them outloud and fell back in love. There are lists of words to wrap around your thoughts and words to find sentances for, words to embrace, and some to abuse, and words for one's private use because no one will ever put them on a billboard.

I've always enjoyed K.E. Gordon's wonderful books on language. Not only are they erudite, they are also very silly, and isn't that the best of combinations? Highly recommended.

Looking for a bowl of quiet cucumber soup? Here it is, a luminous melange of word definitions and usage, mingled with a story line that keeps you turning the pages forward and backward. Join Constanza Zermattress and Vargas Scronx on a stroll through a plethora of outre sentences as examples of word usages.

If you do not mind chuckling in the throne room, this is ideal for little snippets of whimsy.

I maybe expected more from this author, based on the punctuation book, but it lacked much variety in example sentences, many using the same story lines. I could be spoiled by spending too much time at the Oxford English dictionary at the University library.

With The Disheveled Dictionary: A Curious Caper Through Our Sumptuous Lexicon, Gordon has given us a delectable English language appetizer. This is not a conventional dictionary, and is meant more to whet your appetite, than to sate it. If you prefer to move on to the main course, you'll want to take a look at the The Deluxe Transitive Vampire: A Handbook of Grammar for the Innocent, the Eager and the Doomed.

There are many words in here. Most of them you will probably be unfamiliar with, and even after reading this, don't expect to be using them in conversation.

"Thanks, that is a fulgurant [flashing like lightning; dazzlingly bright] idea!" I don't know if my sentence is correct usage for that word, but try it out on someone and see what reaction you get.

The beauty of this book is the prose (and poetry in places). I enjoy savoring every morsel. It's an experience, not a reference work.

I've read several books by Gordon, and she never fails to entertain and educate. This one is highly recommended.

Try and remember that person you know, the quasi-intellectual who tries to make a profound vocabulary statement -- but instead comes across looking profoundly arrogant or misinformed. This whimsical book seems to be written as an inspired glossary to Ms. Gordon's prior works, and after reading this first, I sadly never want to go near them.