Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

Interesting enough,I'll grant, as historical material. Much of this material has passed into the language long ago and now it's just dull cant. Another large portion is so obscure that anyone who tried to insult with its language would at best be embarrassed. Enjoy reading it, but don't expect to become a master of put down thereby.

should be required reading for all politicians-if we have to listen to them trading insults,they might, at least,be witty!

The book is a useful guide to the way its many words were once used. I looked for an occasional surprise in the word list, but didn't find many.