500 Words You Should Know

by Caroline Taggart

Overview

From the author of the bestselling I Used to Know That comes a veracious cornucopia of 500 of the best, trickiest, and oft-misused words in the English language that will have you confabulating with the literary cognoscenti in no time
 
Ever wanted to ameliorate your atavistic lexicon, engage in a little intellectual badinage, or been discombobulated by tricky diction? 500 Words You Should Know has you covered. This book will inspire readers to use uncommon words in their correct context, to utilize the English language to its full potential, and to test themselves on the words they think they already know. This is a book for the appreciator of correct usage, and contains words you thought you knew (decimate, caveat, nemesis), words you should know (euphemism, diatribe, tautology), and just a few that you might want to know (peripatetic, shibboleth, callipygian). Arranged thematically, each word is dissected, with a brief explanation of etymology, historical, and modern usage, allowing you to fully understand and effectively employ the word in its proper context.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781782432944
Publisher:	Michael O'Mara Books
Publication date:	05/01/2015
Pages:	192
Product dimensions:	5.20(w) x 7.80(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Caroline Taggart is the author of the bestselling I Used to Know That, The Classics: All You Need to Know, An Apple a Day, and several other books. A veteran of publishing for nearly 30 years, she has edited innumerable books across categories.

Editorial Reviews

"This 'essential cornucopia' aims to inspire you to use uncommon words in their original context, in order to utilize the English language to it's full potential, and to test yourself on words you think you already know."  —Bookseller

From the Publisher

[review of UK edition] Taggart manages an incredibly fine line of not giving too many outlandish words which will never be of any use nor throwing up too many we already know and use all the time. Of course, this will change from person to person but my feeling is that the words she's chosen are probably about right for each reader... The icing on the cake is the humour which comes with all this... It's all good-natured, informative, jolly kind of stuff; and as a result Taggart gets the balance right. So, whether you want to improve your word power, or you're just intrigued by words which are slightly more complex than our everyday Anglo-Saxon-based lexicon, or you just want something light yet intelligent to dip into — '500 Words You Should Know' is a damned good contender for the spot.

Write Out Loud Blog - D K Powell

For wordsmiths and English language buffs interested in both usage and building vocabulary, featuring words that may seem familiar but which are popularly misused or misunderstood. Some 500 of tricky, most-often-misused words are arranged thematically, with discussion including their history, etymology, and modern applications... A fun gift for authors and any who regularly use the English language beyond ordinary daily affairs.

Donovan's Literary Services - Diane Donovan

Recommended Reading List.

West Jet Magazine

[review of UK edition] A must for logophiles (lovers of words).

Australian Writers' Centre Book Club Blog - Valerie

[review of UK edition] This is a fantastic tabletop book that can be picked up at any time... Here is the chance to improve your vocabulary and use uncommon, familiar, or even just vaguely familiar, words in the right way and in the correct context. From words you sort of know, but aren't confident enough to use, to weird and wonderful words you haven't a clue about! Word doctor Taggart prescribes 500 of the trickiest, most misused words in the English language... This is a magical box of linguistic tricks. And great fun to boot. Definitely one you will enjoy.

South Dublin Reads Blog

Will inspire readers and writers to use uncommon words in their correct context, to utilize the English language to its full potential, and to test themselves on the words they think they already know... Arranged thematically, each word is dissected, with a brief explanation of etymology, historical, and modern usage, allows the full understanding and effectively employment of the word in its proper context... An ideal, entertaining, and useful read for bibliophiles, writers, and the general reading public... Highly recommended for community, college, and university library collections.

Midwest Book Review