Samuel Johnson's Insults: A Compendium of Snubs, Sneers, Slights and Effronteries from the Eighteenth-Century Master [Hardcover]

Jack W. Lynch (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0802714285 | ISBN-13: 978-0802714282 | Publication Date: April 1, 2004

Lackbrain, oysterwench, wantwit, clotpoll--Samuel Johnson's famous dictionary of 1755 contained some of the ripest insults in the English language. In Samuel Johnson’s Insults, Jack Lynch has compiled more than 300 of the curmudgeonly lexicographer’s mightiest barbs, along with definitions only the master himself could elucidate.

Word lovers will delight in flexing their linguistic muscles with devilishly descriptive vituperations that pack a wicked punch. Many of these zingers have long lain dormant. Some have even come close to extinction. Now they’re back in all their prickly glory, ready to be relished once more.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This masterly compendium of malicious wit reveals Dr. Johnson as a world-class curmudgeon, and that, Sir, is high praise indeed" --Jon Winokur, author of The Portable Curmudgeon and The Traveling Curmudgeon

About the Author

Jack Lynch, a Johnson scholar and professor of English at Rutgers University, is the editor of Samuel Johnson’s Dictionary and the author of The Age of Elizabeth in the Age of Johnson.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 112 pages
• Publisher: Walker & Company (April 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802714285
• ISBN-13: 978-0802714282
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 5.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #856,316 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Classic Zingers, November 26, 2004

By 

Virginia Allain "retired librarian" (Poinciana, FL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Samuel Johnson's Insults: A Compendium of Snubs, Sneers, Slights and Effronteries from the Eighteenth-Century Master (Hardcover)

If you are at a loss for words when annoyed, read this. The insults are selected from Johnson's famous eighteenth century Dictionary of the English Language. Bet you never thought to call someone a jobbernowl or a moon-calf.
Actually this is great for anyone who likes reading historic romances and is curious about some words used by the characters. Example: "rakehel - a wild, worthless, dissolute, debauched, sorry fellow." The book contains over 300 of these insults.

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Over three hundred of Samuel Johnson's nastier barbs, February 7, 2005

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Samuel Johnson's Insults: A Compendium of Snubs, Sneers, Slights and Effronteries from the Eighteenth-Century Master (Hardcover)

Over three hundred of Samuel Johnson's nastier barbs and their meanings are gathered from his various writings under one cover to appeal to modern readers seeking new ways of insulting. Quotes are often accompanied not just by definitions but insights into the source of the barb or quip, revealing further insights into Samuel Johnson's works and life as well. Samuel Johnson's Insults: A Compendium of Snubs, Sneers, Slights and Effronteries from the Eighteenth-Century Master is highly entertaining and enthusiastically recommended reading.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Beware of 'backfriends' Amusing, January 4, 2007

By 

Shalom Freedman "Shalom Freedman" (Jerusalem,Israel) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Samuel Johnson's Insults: A Compendium of Snubs, Sneers, Slights and Effronteries from the Eighteenth-Century Master (Paperback)

This is an amusing collection of the 'snubs, sneers, slights and effronteries' by the 'Great Cham'. Lynch arranges them in alphabetical order and adds his own interesting commentary on their origins. In writing for instance of 'backfriends' that is of friends who behind the back to others speak about their friend in ways not friendly at all. He tells us the story of Boswell's resentment of Hester Thrale whom Johnson gave more time with him, and his revenge on her by filling his 'Life of Johnson' with insulting remarks about her. These led her to say that if all friends are like Johnson one should have no friends at all.
This is an amusing work especially for those who love the study of Language and all its unending varieties and duplicities.