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Mrs. Byrne's Dictionary of Unusual, Obscure, and Preposterous Words: Gathered from Numerous and Diverse Authoritative Sources
 
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Mrs. Byrne's Dictionary of Unusual, Obscure, and Preposterous Words: Gathered from Numerous and Diverse Authoritative Sources (Paperback)

by J. H. Byrne (Author)
4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (17 customer reviews)


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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
First it must be known that all 6000 weird words lovingly compiled by Mrs. Byrne are "real" English words, legitimized by at least one major dictionary. That said, the inclusions are delightfully ludicrous, unfailingly obscure and often sadly missing from common parlance. The English language seems the poorer without "furfuraceous" (covered with dandruff), "omphaloskepsis" (meditation while gazing at one's navel) or "blabagogy" (a criminal environment). It's the most addictively interesting dictionary imaginable.

Product Description
A supplemental reference provides an offbeat source of unusual, obscure, and very legitimate English language terms, clearly and whimsically defined for the benefit of those needing "just the right word." --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

  • Paperback: 242 pages
  • Publisher: Citadel (September 1976)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0806504986
  • ISBN-13: 978-0806504988
  • Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
  • Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.com Sales Rank: #728,265 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Mrs. Byrne's Dictionary of Unusual, Obscure, and Preposterous Words: Gathered from Numerous and Diverse Authoritative Sources
90% buy the item featured on this page:
Mrs. Byrne's Dictionary of Unusual, Obscure, and Preposterous Words: Gathered from Numerous and Diverse Authoritative Sources 4.9 out of 5 stars (17)
The Superior Person's Book of Words
5% buy
The Superior Person's Book of Words 4.5 out of 5 stars (15)
$10.85
The Word Lover's Dictionary: Unusual, Obscure, and Preposterous Words
5% buy
The Word Lover's Dictionary: Unusual, Obscure, and Preposterous Words 4.3 out of 5 stars (7)
$18.95

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Customer Reviews

17 Reviews
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 (16)
4 star:
 (1)
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Average Customer Review
4.9 out of 5 stars (17 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Superlative, in a class by itself..., August 30, 2001
By John Parsons (Mpls., MN) - See all my reviews
A wonderful resource for logophiles who have already searched through a standard unabridged dictionary. If you love words, you will love this book.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Sesquipedalian Verbotopia, January 11, 1997
By A Customer
My copy of Mrs. Byrne's Dictionary is, by far, the most dilapidated, dog-eared, written-upon and coffee-stained book now in my possession.
It is not because I hate the book that I have so thoroughly destroyed it. It is, rather, the fact that I refer to it all the time, and take copious notes -- which wind up all over its pages.

If you love words, this is the book I would recommend. You will find an inexhaustible supply of some of the most arcane and ludibund words in our language within these pages.
A great gift for the rantallion in us all!
Dave Beckwith
Founder/President
Charlotte Internet Society
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Intellectual fast food that satisfies the growing appetite., October 26, 2006
I bought this for my son when he was 10. He wore it to tatters, so I am here on Amazon to replace it for him. He's now 15, and has been bemoaning it's loss for about a year. He used to carry this around and use it as an ice breaker, and other kids his age thought it was really cool. He's gone on to Shakespeare, Plato, Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, Keys to the Kingdom etc.but Mrs. Byrnes remains his all time favorite book.

Dictionaries are rarely considered pleasure reading, but this one definately fits that bill. An advantage for a young reader is that they can get a lot of knowledge without reading a lot. Yup - Intellectual fast food. Could be addictive.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Cecil's recommendation
Slightly worn but in great shape considering it's age. Learned of this text from straightdope.com and worth every penny.
Published 12 months ago by David Allen Zeigler

5.0 out of 5 stars If you see it, buy it!!!! A must-have for word lovers.
Etymology is a guilty pleasure of mine-- and this book is the guiltiest of them all! Deliciously obscure words all at my fingertips...what more could i ask for. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Jessica Swan

5.0 out of 5 stars The most fun you can have with a book which isn't about sex!
I was given an earlier printing of this book when I first learned to read, and I think it has something to do with my childhood nickname of "Dictionary Breath. Read more
Published 22 months ago by Peter A. List

5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific Book - Buy one if you can!
I own two worn-out copies, because I enjoy this book too much to be without. Before buying my first copy of Mrs. Read more
Published 23 months ago by W. Sheridan

5.0 out of 5 stars More Than Advertised
The book, which I love, was in excellent condition. I was surprised by the speed of delivery. Thanx.
Published on July 3, 2007 by Chuck A. Boyer

5.0 out of 5 stars English is a very, very rich language.
This informative, well-researched, very interesting, unique reference presents the meaning of 6000 of the most outlandish, eccentric, and strange legitimate words that are part of... Read more
Published on June 18, 2004 by M. E. Volmar

5.0 out of 5 stars A "Dictionary Game" necessity
When our regional group of clergy gather for retreat, we all enjoy playing "Dictionary" (similar to Balderdash). Read more
Published on April 17, 2004

5.0 out of 5 stars this hirsutorufous logophile* loves this polychrestic book
Try putting that in a single's ad and see what kind of response you get!

Mrs Byrnes has collected some of the most outrageous, unusual (for the most part) words you have ever... Read more

Published on January 12, 2003 by Patricia R. Andersen

4.0 out of 5 stars very entertaining
I just met Mrs. Byrne's dictionary at the home of a linguist. A houseful of brilliant linguists, and almost none had heard of any of the words. Read more
Published on September 9, 2000 by Pete Unseth

5.0 out of 5 stars More fun than reading a novel!
Mrs. Byrne's dictionary is a little like Granny's cookie jar, chock-full of morsels to sate the craving of any logophile. Read more
Published on May 8, 2000 by annabelle_lee

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