Dictionary of Humorous Words: Vocabulary Building


Book Description

What are “Humorous Words”? What is Humor? [HUMOUR [(British English) | HUMOR (AMERICAN ENGLISH)] Humor is something that is funny, comical, or amusing Definition of ‘Humorous Words’ Words that are intended to be amusing, entertaining, funny, or comical are called humorous words. Examples: beak [noun] – large or pointed nose of somebody ego-surfing [noun] – the activity of searching your name on different websites on the Internet iron rations [noun] – a small amount of food carried for an emergency by soldiers, etc. while climbing or walking unhand [verb] – to release somebody that you are holding Besides “Humorous Words”, there are some Idioms and Phrasal Verbs which are used to express humor (amusement or funniness) Example- (idiom): a big cheese – a very important and influential person in a big organization Example- (phrasal verb): gird (up) your loins – to get ready to do a difficult task or activity NOTE: Many ‘Humorous Words’ are also used in ‘formal’, ‘informal’ or other sense Example: BEAST beast [noun] [Humorous] – a person or thing who is unpleasant beast [noun] [Informal] – a thing of a particular type beast [noun] [Formal] – a large and dangerous animal A detailed list of ‘humorous words’, parts of speech they belong to, and their meanings are as follows: Humorous Words -- A abaya [noun] a full-length, sleeveless outer garment worn by Arabs abdicate [verb] to give up all hope of ever having a flat stomach abibliophobia [noun] the fear of running out of reading material abomasums [noun] the fourth stomach of a ruminant, such as a cow or a sheep absquatulate [verb] to abruptly leave or abscond with something academe [noun] the world of studying, teaching, etc. at academic institutions e.g. universities and colleges accoutrements (accouterments) [noun] pieces of equipment that are required for an activity; accessories acerbate [verb] to embitter somebody acidulous [adjective] rather sour or sharp in speech, manner, etc. adjourn to… [phrasal verb] to go to another place to calm down of advanced years | sb's advanced age [idiom] used to show that somebody is ‘very old’ or aged agelast [noun] one who never laughs aglet [noun] the plastic tip on the end of a shoelace alack [exclamation] used to express sadness or regret allegator [noun] someone who alleges allergic [adjective] strong dislike towards somebody amatory [adjective] relating to physical activity or desire amphibology [noun] grammatically ambiguous phrase or sentence (e.g.: he talked to his son and his daughter) amphisbaena [noun] a mythical serpent with a head at each end anencephalous [adjective] lacking a brain anfractuous [adjective] circuitous or winding anguilliform [adjective] resembling an eel anserine [adjective] goose-like | silly or foolish antediluvian [adjective] traditional or out-of-date anthropophagy [noun] cannibalism apolaustic [adjective] devoted to the seeking of enjoyment apple-knocker [noun] an ignorant or unsophisticated person appurtenance [noun] a smaller part of something larger, superior or more significant archipelago [noun] a chain of islands argle-bargle [noun] meaningless and abundant talk or writing




The Dictionary of Difficult Words


Book Description

What is a moonbow? What does it mean when someone absquatulates? Over 400 words to amaze, confuse and inspiring budding wordsmiths (and adults!).




A Pocket Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue


Book Description

A Pocket Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue is a profane guide to the slang from the backstreets and taverns of 18th-century London. This slang dictionary gathers the most amusing and useful terms from English history and helpfully presents them to be used in the conversations of our modern day. Originally published in 1785, the Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue was one of the first lexicons of English slang, compiled by a militia captain who collected the terms he overheard on his late-night excursions to London's slums, dockyards, and taverns. Now the legacy lives on in this colorful pocket dictionary. • Learn the origin of phrases like "birthday suit" and discover slang lost to time. • An unexpected marriage of lowbrow humor and highbrow wit Discover long lost antique slang and curse words and learn how to incorporate them into modern conversation. A Pocket Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue is perfect for enlivening contemporary conversation with historical phrases; it includes a topical list of words for money, drunkenness, the amorous congress, male and female naughty bits, and so on. • A funny book for wordplay, language, swearing, and insult fans, as well as fans of British humor and culture • Perfect for those who loved How to Speak Brit: The Quintessential Guide to the King's English, Cockney Slang, and Other Flummoxing British Phrases by Christopher J. Moore; Knickers in a Twist: A Dictionary of British Slang by Jonathan Bernstein; and The Official Dictionary of Sarcasm by James Napoli




The Devil’s Dictionary


Book Description

“Dictionary, n: A malevolent literary device for cramping the growth of a language and making it hard and inelastic. This dictionary, however, is a most useful work.” Bierce’s groundbreaking Devil’s Dictionary had a complex publication history. Started in the mid-1800s as an irregular column in Californian newspapers under various titles, he gradually refined the new-at-the-time idea of an irreverent set of glossary-like definitions. The final name, as we see it titled in this work, did not appear until an 1881 column published in the periodical The San Francisco Illustrated Wasp. There were no publications of the complete glossary in the 1800s. Not until 1906 did a portion of Bierce’s collection get published by Doubleday, under the name The Cynic’s Word Book—the publisher not wanting to use the word “Devil” in the title, to the great disappointment of the author. The 1906 word book only went from A to L, however, and the remainder was never released under the compromised title. In 1911 the Devil’s Dictionary as we know it was published in complete form as part of Bierce’s collected works (volume 7 of 12), including the remainder of the definitions from M to Z. It has been republished a number of times, including more recent efforts where older definitions from his columns that never made it into the original book were included. Due to the complex nature of copyright, some of those found definitions have unclear public domain status and were not included. This edition of the book includes, however, a set of definitions attributed to his one-and-only “Demon’s Dictionary” column, including Bierce’s classic definition of A: “the first letter in every properly constructed alphabet.” Bierce enjoyed “quoting” his pseudonyms in his work. Most of the poetry, dramatic scenes and stories in this book attributed to others were self-authored and do not exist outside of this work. This includes the prolific Father Gassalasca Jape, whom he thanks in the preface—“jape” of course having the definition: “a practical joke.” This book is a product of its time and must be approached as such. Many of the definitions hold up well today, but some might be considered less palatable by modern readers. Regardless, the book’s humorous style is a valuable snapshot of American culture from past centuries. This book is part of the Standard Ebooks project, which produces free public domain ebooks.







The Dictionary of Uncomfortable Words


Book Description

Realizing a dictionary was necessary to alert the public, they created The Dictionary of Uncomfortable Words. Each word is followed by a brief explanation of why it makes people uneasy when spoken, such as: - Abhor: Looks innocuous enough on paper but utterly filthy when spoken aloud. - Bull: In most circles, this word is merely a prefix. We prefer the term man-cow."" - Congeal: Just because gooey becomes crusty doesn't mean we want to hear about it. - Crotch: This word is disturbing even when referring to trees. - Dingleberry: This is one fruit you don't want to eat. - Half-cocked: Sounds like a circumcision that went too far. - Horehound: A drunk with too much money in his pocket on Saturday night. ""




My First Dictionary


Book Description

Hello, boys and girls, and welcome to the wonderful world of words! You've learned the basics—from apple to zebra—but what about all those mysterious new terms you've heard the grown-ups whispering when you were supposed to be tucked up snugly in bed? What makes Mommy so bitter? Where does Daddy conceal the door to his secret S&M dungeon? And why is everyone laughing about Grandma's latest delusion? My First Dictionary answers these questions, and includes many other useful definitions, such as: A burden is a source of worry or stress. Old people are usually burdens. Father is nostalgic. He is remembering the happier times before you were born. A puppy is a young dog. Connie gets a puppy every time she agrees not to tell. Daddy calls them hush puppies. A zigzag is a jagged line. We can tell that Mother has been drinking when she drives in a zigzag pattern. Carry a copy of My First Dictionary in your schoolbag and you'll never be at a loss for words again!




Absurd Words


Book Description

Why use boring old words when you can expand and build your vocabulary—and have fun doing it! A user-friendly, engaging book about the power of words—perfect for educators, parents, and future word nerds. Build confidence and become a stronger reader, writer, and communicator! This fun and hilarious vocabulary builder: Includes over 750 high-level, wondrous, and wacky words! With sample sentences and word history that help new words make sense! Bright and fun illustrations make learning new words fun! Allows to search by category so new word choices are easy to find! Kids with strong vocabularies are better readers, better writers, and even feel more confident tackling math and science. When a kid wants to learn a new word, we often send them to the dictionary or a thesaurus. But dictionaries only work if you know exactly the word you want. This dictionary-thesaurus hybrid is organized by theme and puts words in context with fun, engaging and hilarious sentences, pictures, and fun facts. You'll learn what words mean and then actually use them!




Oxford Dictionary of Humorous Quotations


Book Description

Writer, broadcaster, and wit Gyles Brandreth has completely revised Ned Sherrin's classic collection of wisecracks, one-liners, and anecdotes. Add sparkle to your speeches and presentations, or just enjoy a good laugh in company with Oscar Wilde, Mark Twain, Joan Rivers, Kathy Lette, Frankie Boyle, and friends.




Dictionary of Formal Words: Vocabulary Building


Book Description

2600 Useful Formal Words and Their Meanings Formal words are used in the official language. These words are used in ‘official’ or formal writing. In this book, you will study and learn useful formal words, the names of parts of speech they belong to and their meanings. || Sample This: Formal Words -- A 01 -- abandonment [n.] -- (a). the act of leaving a person, place or thing without intending to return | (b). the act of giving up a practice, a course of action or a way of thinking completely and permanently [synonyms: desertion, forsaking] 02 -- abate [v.] -- to become less strong or widespread; to make something less strong or widespread. [synonyms: decline, subside] 03 -- abhorrence [n.] -- a feeling of strong hate for a way of thinking or behaving for moral reasons [synonyms: detestation, disgust, hatred, loathing, repugnance] 04 -- abstemious [adj.] -- not allowing yourself to indulge too much in enjoyable activities such as eating food or drinking alcohol [synonym: ascetic] 05 -- abstraction [n.] -- (a). a general idea or quality rather than a real person, object, event or situation | (b). the state of thinking deeply about sth and lacking concentration or not paying attention to what is happening around one. [synonyms: absentmindedness, inattentiveness, distractedness] 06 -- abstruse [adj.] -- complicated and difficult to understand especially when it could be explained in an easier way [synonyms: perplexing, puzzling] 07 -- abut [v.] -- (of an area of land or a building) to be next to sth or to have a common boundary with the side of sth [synonym: adjoin] 08 -- abyss [n.] -- (a). a very deep wide crack or opening in the ground 09 -- acclamation [n.] -- loud, noisy and enthusiastic approval or welcome [synonyms: approbation, commendation] 10 -- ache [v.] -- (b). to have a strong desire for sb/sth or to do sth 11 -- acme [n.] -- the highest point or stage of development, achievement or the most excellent example of sth [synonyms: peak, summit, zenith] 12 -- acolyte [n.] -- a person who attends, follows and helps a leader 13 -- aesthete [n.] -- a person who has a love, understanding, sensitivity and appreciation of works of art and beautiful things 14 -- affecting [adj.] -- producing strong feelings of distress, pity, regret, sorrow, or sympathy, etc. 15 -- aged [adj.] -- very old; grown old [synonym: matured] 16 -- aggrandize [v.] -- to increase power, wealth, importance or status of a person or country [synonyms: enhance, extend] 17 -- airy [adj.] -- (a). showing no worry about sth or not treating sth as serious | (b). -- not serious or practical 18 -- akin [adj.] -- (a). having some of the essential same qualities [synonym: similar] | (b). related by blood 19 -- allusive [adj.] -- containing a word or phrase that makes a reference to a specific person, event, place, etc. in an indirect way 20 -- aloft [adv.] -- high up in or into the air; far above the ground [synonym: overhead] 21 -- amid (prep.] -- (a). in the middle or course of something (b). surrounded by sth 22 -- amity [n.] -- a friendly relationship [synonyms: concord, harmony] 23 -- anew [adv.] -- (a). again but in a new or different and more positive way | (b). once more [synonym: again] 24 -- anodyne [adj.] -- not likely to cause disagreement or offense; not expressing strong opinions [synonyms: bland, insipid] | (b). capable of relieving pain 25 -- antagonistically (adv.) -- In a manner that shows or feels dislike or opposition [synonym: hostility] 26 -- arcane [adj.] -- strange, secret and mysterious and therefore knowable or understandable only to a few people [synonyms: esoteric, unfathomable] 27 -- artifice [n.] -- the clever use of tricks to cheat or deceive sb [synonyms: deception, pretense] | (b). a skilled piece of workmanship 28 -- audacity [n.] -- rude, shocking or disrespectful behavior [synonyms: cheek, daring, impudence, nerve] 29 -- august [adj.] -- respected, dignified and impressive [synonyms: imposing, majestic] 30 -- aureate [adj.] -- (a). (especially of language) decorated or elaborated in a complicated way | (b). made of gold or having the color of gold [synonym: golden] 31 -- aver [v.] -- to state firmly that sth is certainly true [synonyms: assert, avow] 32 -- avow [v.] -- to publicly express your opinion about sth in a firm way [synonym: affirm]