Foyle's Philavery: a Treasury of Unusual Words - Hardcover

Foyle, Christopher

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0550103295 ISBN 13: 9780550103291

Publisher: Chambers, 2007

Synopsis

The word philavery was invented to describe this book: a collection of words chosen simply on the grounds of their aesthetic appeal. Some of these words appeal because of their aptness, some for their obscurity, some for their euphony, and some for their quirkiness. As a collection, they represent the fruits of a lifetime of reading and will delight all word lovers.

About this title

Review:

I happen to be one of those people who love these kinds of books, though unfortunately they frequently get lost in the mélange of frippery that is located around the checkout counter at better bookstores. Anyway, Foyle, who happens to own such a bookstore in London, has collected a fair-sized book's worth of odd and distinctive words, his favourite of which is "kakistocracy, a system of government where the rulers are the least competent, least qualified or most unprincipled citizens"--a word we ought to use more frequently. (The Morning News Book Digest)

I have found many surprises in the Philavery - I didn't know that alopecia literally means fox mange! (Roddy Lumsden's Blog, www.booksfromscotland.com)

Book Description:

A treasury of unusual words

About this edition

• Publisher: Chambers
• Publication date: 2007
• ISBN 10: 0550103295
• ISBN 13: 9780550103291
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 240