There's a Word for It (Revised Edition): A Grandiloquent Guide to Life

I bought this book for a fairly well-known speaker, who like me, loves learning and using fascinating & unusual words. He loved the book!! I will purchase it for myself soon, and look forward to skipping about the pages. It is not a book you read cover to cover.

I enjoy all of Elster's writings, and I own a bunch of his books. I have read them all, and family and friends all are tortured with my explaining to them etymologies or pronunciations of common words and phrases. Of all his books, this one is by far the least practical unless you have a perfect memory. The words are long and difficult, and impossible to remember (for me at least). That being said, it's an enjoyable read, and the author's style is delightful and inimitable. I would recommend this book to any logophile (word lover), but don't think you're going to use these words in conversation.

A person often takes a chance when ordering a book based primarily on a title. Even based on friends' recommendations, ordering a book you know little about is an iffy proposition. This book is like that. It sounds like a book for building your speaking and writing vocabulary. It is not. Neither is it exhaustive. It is just plain fun. If you enjoy unusual words and like to play with language, this will give you plenty of material.

The book arrived on time and was in very good condition, better than described. I love books about words, they help fill the little holes in our speech with just the right word. This book is broken down by category​ so it is easy to find just the right word.

All fine.

Fun book-very clever

Looked at the 6 words on the cover and I was hooked. The index convinced me that I have my work cut out for me. Great investment.

This is ideal for any one who still believes in the English language and how to use it. There's nothing richer than using $10.00 words at least once a day!