About this item

Can you drink a glass of balderdash? What do you call the part of a dog's back it can't scratch? And if, serendipitously, you find yourself in Serendip, then where exactly are you? The answers to all of these questions - and a great many more - can be found in the pages of the Oxford English Dictionary, the definitive record of the English language. And there is no better guide to the dictionary's many wonderments than the former chief editor of the OED, John Simpson. Simpson spent almost four decades of his life immersed in the intricacies of our language, and guides us through its history with charmingly laconic wit. In The Word Detective, an intensely personal memoir and a joyful celebration of English, he weaves a story of how words come into being (and sometimes disappear) , how culture shapes the language we use, and how technology has transformed not only the way we speak and write but also how words are made. Throughout, he enlivens his narrative with lively excavations and investigations of individual words - from deadline to online and back to 101 (yes, it's a word) - all the while reminding us that the seemingly mundane words (can you name the four different meanings of ma?) are often the most interesting ones. But Simpson also reminds us of the limitations of language: spending his days in the OED's house of words, his family at home is forced to confront the challenges of wordlessness. A brilliant and deeply humane expedition through the world of words, The Word Detective will delight and inspire any lover of language.



About the Author

John Simpson

John Simpson is a Vietnam Era Veteran, former Police Officer of the Year, a Federal Agent, a Federal Magistrate, an armed bodyguard to Saudi Royalty, a senior Federal Government executive, and recipient of awards from the Vice President of the United States and the Secretary of Treasury.John feels that for too long fiction writers neglected gay men. John writes entertaining, enjoyable, and enthralling fiction centered on the lives of gay men. John allows his readers to see life through gay mens' eyes. And just like real life, John's characters have active and exciting sex lives. John calls on his broad personal and professional experience in writing gay erotica. John is author of numerous full-length novels available through Dreamspinner Press and several short stories in Alyson Books anthologies. John has written magazine articles for gay and straight audiences alike.John lives with his partner of 40 years who he married in 2008 and their three Scottish Terriers. John is highly involved with the Church, specifically seeking to repair rifts between Christendom and the gay community.John wishes to extend a very special thanks to his many female readers. He appreciates and loves the fact women enjoy male/male erotica, and he thanks you for your past and continued support. He hopes to never disappoint you, and always leave you wanting more!Some of the short stories previously published by Alyson Books include:"The Virgin Marine," "The Acropolis of Love," "The Tower," "The Serpent," "Locker Room Heat," "Campus Steam," "Lust in the Sand," and now "Love on the Rocks," for the upcoming edition of "Island Boys," being released shortly.Additionally, he has written numerous articles for various gay and straight magazines.John has five short stories available through Dreamspinner Press: "The Smell of Leather,", "The Sheriff", "Fairy Tale", and the very popular "Officers in Need." Recently added was: "That's the Ticket." Check them out today! If these stories don't rock your boat, you're in dry dock!



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