Q: What is the BIGGEST word you’ve seen used in a book lately – that made you stop and look it up? Might as well leave the definition & book too.
A: That's a tough question. I soak up big words like a sponge. Also, flexing our vocabulary is hot flirting between my boyfriend and me. (We're such geeks.) Between the size of my lexicon and the fact that I read a lot of YA and kids' books, I don't come across many words that I don't already know.
That said, Sharpe's Tiger by Bernard Cornwell (reviewed Wednesday) was good for broadening my horizons based on cultures and dialects. The largest new word was probably "embrasure," which is an opening in a defensive wall to fire cannons through. The British pronounce "lieutenant" as "leftenant," which is interesting. A new foreign word is "bibi," formally meaning "lady" in Hindi and/or Arabic, and used derogatorily by the British army for "lover" or "prostitute."
What words have you learned lately from books?
FYI, I am typically pretty busy at work all day on Fridays, and cannot access social networking at that time, so please be patient if you want me to follow you back. :) Thank you!
Hello there! Your blog seems really cool. Reminds of this book I read called Beautiful Creatures. Have you read it? It must be really fun being a librarian. I'm a new GFC follower so please follow me back at http://bookaholicfaggots.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by! I have not read Beautiful Creatures, but I'm aware of the series. Visit you soon!
DeleteThat was hilarious what you said about flirting with words... it is just a beautiful geeky love!! Here is my word: Angela's Anxious Life
ReplyDeleteAngie
Thanks for stopping by! :)
DeleteNew follower! Hopping by. Embrasure is a new word for me :)
ReplyDeleteBookworm Mia
http://bookwormmia.blogspot.com/2012/09/feature-follow-5.html
Thanks for visiting - I'll see you soon!
DeleteI always wondered why, in the audio book, Bella was described as Voldemort's "best leftenant". I just thought it was an error by the narrator. Interesting!
ReplyDeleteThe word I had to look up was from David Mitchell's novel Cloud Atlas. Check it out here
Thanks for stopping by ~ and now you know about leftenants! I'll be sure to check out your word.
DeleteThanks for stopping by my FF post earlier. I am already following you via linky.
ReplyDeleteContinue flirting with big words - it's really hot!
I recently read a book written in Britain, and yeah, the language and spelling was pretty different ~ amazingly so.. *new follower*
ReplyDeleteMy FF
Happy Reading :)
p.s. being a librarian must be so friggin' awesome :)
Thanks for visiting! I'll stop by your blog shortly. :)
DeleteBeing a librarian is great, but it's a lot more work than many would think.
That's interesting. I've not heard of "embrasure" before. I do think the British pronounce things interestingly. Like calling valets call-ets. Actually pronouncing the t.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by my post. New follower.
Interesting words. I'm a school librarian, and a new follower. My husband and I always trade new vocab words. If your a reader, you love words, right? I have trouble retaining them, though...My FF
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by! I'm so glad to meet a fellow librarian blogger. :)
DeleteHaha nice!
ReplyDeleteI haven't read any big words that I don't understand in books recently.
New Followe! My FF @ Pink Fluffy Heartss
Thank you for visiting! I'll stop by your blog shortly. :)
DeleteI am just like you! I pride myself in my rather large vocabulary!!
ReplyDeleteNew follower (:
Chelsey@Charming Chelsey's
Well met! Following you soon. :)
DeleteHaha. I'm an American living in the UK and I giggle at things sometimes. I also refuse to assimilate my accent and get made fun of for saying words like 'herb'.
ReplyDeleteNew follower! Here's my My FF.
Sounds like fun. Visiting your blog soon! :)
DeleteHistorical fiction is always great for new words, or old words that have fallen out of use.
ReplyDeleteNew follower - thanks for stopping by. Bob @ Beauty in Ruins
Hi :) just saying hello ;) how are you? How is being librarian? Have a good weekend!
ReplyDeleteBibi is an interesting one, meaning or being used in different ways.
ReplyDeleteNew Follower
My FF
Yes it is. Thanks for stopping by! :)
DeleteI love finding new words and embrasure is definitely going on my vocab list. Thanks for visiting my blog. New follower.
ReplyDeleteThe whole leftenant thing always confuses me and I am British, just not how I read it or would ever think of pronouncing it!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by my blog. :D
Hello i just learn a new world thank you
ReplyDeletenew follower hopping
http://chroniclesofabookaddict.blogspot.com
Thank you for visiting, I'll stop by yours shortly!
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