Depraved and Insulting English [Paperback]

Originally published as two distinct collections,Depraved and Insulting Englishbrings to light the language's most offensive and obscene words--words that have fallen out of today's lexicon but will no doubt delight, amuse, and in some cases prove surprisingly useful. Who hasn't searched for the right word to describe a colleague's maschalephidrosis (runaway armpit perspiration) or a boss's pleonexia (insane greed)? And what better way is there to insult the scombroid landlord (resembling a mackerel) or that tumbrel of a brother-in-law (a person who is drunk to the point of vomiting) than by calling him by his rightful name?

A compact compendium of ingenious words for anyone who's been tongue-tied, flabbergasted, or dumbfounded,Depraved and Insulting Englishsupplies the appropriate vocabulary for any occasion. Word lovers, chronic insulters, berayers, bescumbers, and bespewers need fear no more--finding the correct word to wow your friends or silence your enemies just got a whole lot easier.

PRAISE FORDEPRAVED ENGLISHANDINSULTING ENGLISH

Read them, learn them, use them in everyday conversation, and salvage our linguistic heritage! --Maxim

A book on language that you can read on subway, bus, and plane--though you have to be ready for surprised looks when you laugh out loud or give little yelps of joy. . . . If someone is majoring in English, give him or her this book. Give it to your randy grandma. --Frank McCourt, author ofAngela's Ashesand'Tis

An invaluable and cleverly worked vade mecum for those millions of us who (a) are fascinated by sex and (b) enjoy insulting people. No intelligent home should be without it. --Simon Winchester, author ofThe Professor and the Madman

Peter NovobatzkyandAmmon Sheaare the authors ofDepraved EnglishandInsulting English. They both live in New York City.