Emotional Dictionary ~ Susie Dent (53 of 2024)

Have you felt some emotions and wondered 'Is there a word for that'?

Found yourself looking for words to express all your feels in myriad situations with specificity? 

I absolutely adore Susie Dent's approach to enlightening us about words. Her method of introducing us to obscure and rare words is fascinating, and the way she delves into the history and etymology behind more common terms is equally captivating. Through her writing, one can truly sense her passion and enthusiasm for the English language. Her pages are imbued with a contagious zeal that transforms the seemingly mundane into something extraordinarily interesting and engaging. Each word she presents is like a little gem, polished by her extensive knowledge and infectious love for linguistics.

What makes her work particularly delightful is the blend of erudition and accessibility. She manages to make even the most complex etymologies understandable and enjoyable, bridging the gap between academic study and everyday appreciation. Her enthusiasm invites readers into a world where words are celebrated, cherished, and explored with boundless curiosity. It's a sheer pleasure to read Susie Dent!

As a woman, I am capable of having complex emotions, often more than one at a time. I struggle to share these. This book offers some gems of expressiveness, making me want to belch as if satisfied after a full meal. 

Samples!

Gongoozle:  stare vacantly at the activities of others. Came from lying on a river bank to watch the world go by.

Fauxcellarm: the conviction that your cell phone is ringing

Cwtch( rhymes with butch) : something more than a hug

Confelicity:  pleasure in another's happiness( opposite of schadenfreude)

Betwittered:  overcome with pleasing excitement as when your tweet goes viral

Twithought: a thought that disappears almost the moment you focus on it

Seijaku: tranquility amidst chaos

Pissuprest: stuck somewhere and wanting to pee

Parabore: protection against bores

Coddiwomple: travel purposefully without a destination.