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Best Books for Word Nerds
18
items Do you love learning about the origin, invention, evolution, use, and misuse of language? Whether you're interested in etymology, wordplay, slang, or linguistics, you'll find something on this list to satisfy your inner word nerd. I've included two o...
For anyone curious about how writers invent new languages from the ground up. Also a great introduction to linguistics in general.
The Art of Language Invention: From Horse-Lords to Dark Elves to Sand Worms, the Words Behind World-Building
Bill Bryson lends his trademark wit to the evolution of the English language, and you will never look at your mother tongue the same way again.
The Mother Tongue: English and How It Got That Way
Even the smallest words can reveal a great deal about your identity and personality. After reading this, you'll pay more attention to how you and others use pronouns.
The Secret Life of Pronouns: What Words Say
Hilarious, introspective, and useful. The author has cleverly invented words that needed to be invented.
The Emotionary: Dictionary of Nonexistent Feelings
Take a tour of the most skillful analogies, metaphors, and similes ever created. Plus, learn exactly what the difference is between those three terms.
I Never Metaphor I Didn't Like: Top Analogies
Explore some incredible, untranslatable words and phrases from other languages. You may want to add them to your own vocabulary.
In Other Words: Illustrated Miscellany of Words
A book of weird English words that you never knew existed, but that you might find incredibly useful.
Horologicon: A Day's Jaunt Through Lost Words
A compelling and entertaining history of English language slang. Appealing to lovers of linguistics and pop culture alike.
Vulgar Tongues: Alt History of English Slang
What are puns? Why do people use them? Why are they often derided? And why will they never, ever go away?
The Pun Also Rises: How Puns Changed History
A curious and clever commentary on censorship, written according to the rules of a fictional island where the Council is progressively banning letters of the alphabet.
Ella Minnow Pea: A Novel in Letters
A charming illustrated guide to the world’s most delightfully untranslatable words—perfect for anyone who’s ever needed a term for “the happiness of being slightly lost.”
Lost in Translation: Illustrated Untranslatable Words
From the scandalous roots of “gossip” to why “quarantine” means forty days, Susie Dent serves up a daily dose of delightful word origins that’ll make your inner language nerd swoon.
Word Perfect: Etymological Entertainment Daily
Embrace your inner word nerd—this book shows you how to love language quirks and correct grammar with charm, wit, and zero jerk vibes.
Yes, I Could Care Less: Language Snob Guide
Say goodbye to “whom” and hello to clear, modern chatter—this is your witty, no-nonsense guide to mastering language in the BuzzFeed era.
A World Without 'Whom': Guide to Language
Take an epic, illustrated journey through humanity’s many methods of making marks—from the familiar to the fantastically obscure.
Encyclopedia of World Writing Systems
Part dictionary, part treasure map. This is a quirky guide to the curious origins of words, expressions, myths, and odd trivia you never knew you needed.
Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable 20th
Sometimes we must turn to other languages to find the perfect word. This Mental Floss article will help.
51 Wonderful Words With No English Equivalent
Lessons on language families are often illustrated with a simple tree diagram that has all the information but lacks imagination. This image adds beauty to functionality.
Feast Your Eyes on This Beautiful Linguistic Family Tree