Death By Spelling is both a serious and hilarious book on a topic that everyone who is literate has to deal with. A misspelling in a letter to the editor, a Facebook post or Tweet, a blog, or (God forbid) on your resume can destroy your reputation for life. This is not a book that is to be taken lightly, even after you pay the outrageous price of $1 at the Booknook, you still have to pass a spelling test at the beginning of the book to be allowed entry into the bowels of this book. This book is full of pronunciation guides, stories on word etymology, and tests. For example, we learn that the word bully comes not from male cattle, but from the Dutch word for lover, boel. The section of London known as Rotten Row is derived from the French for The King's Highway, route de roi. If reading excellent prose is a good way to learn to write without making stupid mistakes, then you should get this book, and then hope that you can pass the plethora ( engorged, esp. with blood) of tests. It's an excellent way to avoid making yourself look foolish in public. Well, that and avoiding Karaoke bars.
In the Reference section at the Booknook today!
In the Reference section at the Booknook today!
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