Books › Saying what you mean
Saying what you mean
269 pages
A witty, opinionated stroll through the quirks of the English language that champions clarity above all else.
What it feels like
Reading this book feels like sitting down with a delightfully opinionated, fiercely intelligent editor who wants nothing more than to help you make sense of the English language. It unfolds at a leisurely, browsable pace, inviting you to dip in and out of its dictionary-style entries whenever the mood strikes. The tone is wry and authoritative, stripping away linguistic pretension in favor of pure, unadulterated clarity. It creates a cozy, intellectual atmosphere perfect for word nerds and writers who find genuine joy in the mechanics of communication. Rather than a rigid rulebook, it reads as a pragmatic celebration of how we speak and write, leaving you feeling sharper, more confident, and deeply appreciative of a well-crafted sentence.
- Mood
- intellectual
- cozy
- contemplative
- Tone
- wry
- authoritative
- pragmatic
- opinionated
- Pace
- leisurely
- Themes
- linguistic clarity · evolution of language · joy of words · effective communication
- The writing
- Crisp, witty, and unapologetically opinionated, modeling the exact clarity it preaches.
- The arc
- A satisfying journey from linguistic confusion to a grounded, confident appreciation for clear communication.
- Who it's for
- Word nerds, writers, and armchair linguists who delight in the mechanics of a perfectly constructed sentence.
About the book
In hundreds of dictionary-type entries, ranging from "Acronyms" to "Y'know," the author of "Our Marvellous Native Tongue" insists on clarity as the touchstone of good usage
Bibliography: p. [260]-264. Includes index.
Description from Open Library.
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