![The Foolish Dictionary An exhausting work of reference to un-certain English words, their origin, meaning, legitimate and illegitimate use, confused by a few pictures [not included]](https://listenly.io/api/img/6a0eadcee215ac92f262c47e/cover.jpg)
audiobook
by Gideon Wurdz
The FOOLISH DICTIONARY
An exhausting work of reference to un-certain English words, their origin, meaning, legitimate and illegitimate use, confused by - A FEW PICTURES - By WALLACE GOLDSMITH
Executed by - GIDEON WURDZ - Master of Pholly, Doctor of Loquacious Lunacy, Fellow of the Royal Gibe Society, etc., etc. - Cover designed by E.B. BIRD
To MY DOG, Who first heard these lines And didn't run away MAD, I Reverently Dedicate This Tome
"A Fool may give a Wise Man counsel."
Preface.
Postage and Postal Information.
A Few Mythological and Classical Names.
Legal and Local Holidays in the United States.
A delightfully mischievous take on the ordinary lexicon, this tongue‑in‑cheek compendium turns familiar words into miniature riddles. The author, with a flair for absurd etymologies, reshapes everything from “Absinthe” to “Alphabet” into witty anecdotes that poke fun at scholarly pretension while still offering a glimpse of genuine word origins. Readers will savor the blend of mock‑serious footnotes, clever abbreviations, and occasional illustrations that keep the humor brisk and surprising.
Presented as a modest selection of roughly five hundred entries drawn from a half‑million‑word language, the volume invites listeners to pause for a chuckle with each definition. Whether you’re a language lover, a fan of parody, or simply in need of a lighthearted mental jog, the book’s playful tone and clever wordplay make it an entertaining respite from more conventional reference works. It’s a perfect companion for anyone who enjoys discovering the odd, the oddball, and the outright foolish hidden in everyday speech.
Language
en
Duration
~1 hours (68K characters)
Release date
2007-04-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

b. 1875
Best remembered for the comic pen name Gideon Wurdz, this American humorist delighted readers with playful nonsense, mock definitions, and light satire in the early 1900s. His books turn language itself into the joke, giving them a breezy charm that still feels fresh.
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