The Foolish Dictionary

audiobook

The Foolish Dictionary

by Gideon Wurdz

EN·~1 hours

Chapters

Description

A delightfully mischievous take on the world’s most familiar reference tool, this book turns the ordinary dictionary on its head. Instead of solemn definitions, it offers wry, tongue‑in‑cheek explanations that blend etymology with absurdity, inviting readers to giggle at the unexpected origins of everyday words. With only a handful of entries drawn from the half‑million‑word English lexicon, each one becomes a miniature comedy sketch, peppered with sly quotations and playful footnotes.

The author’s flamboyant voice—part scholar, part prankster—guides listeners through a parade of invented histories, from “ABSINTHE” as “to the bad” to “ADVICE” as a commodity only lawyers can sell. Illustrated with quirky sketches, the work feels like a Victorian parlor game brought to life, perfect for anyone who loves language, satire, and a good laugh. Whether you’re a word‑nerd or simply enjoy clever wordplay, the experience promises a series of chuckles that linger long after the page is turned.

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Details

Full title

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]

Language

en

Duration

~1 hours (68K characters)

Publisher of text edition

Project Gutenberg

Credits

Produced by David Garcia, Michelle Croyle, Jeannie Howse and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net

Release date

2007-04-01

Rights

Public domain in the USA.

About the author

Gideon Wurdz

Gideon Wurdz

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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