Overview
Ever wonder if there is a synonym for the word synonym? Or why people really hate the word “moist?” Maybe you want to know why we tell a person to take something “with a grain of salt,” or why McDonalds went to war with a dictionary. From obscure words to the best literary insults ever written, this linguistic miscellany is sure to spice up your vocabulary, make you a whizz at word games, and prepare you for plenty of wordy repartee for your next soiree, with some of the most bizarre terms you never knew you needed.
A CACOPHONY OF WORDS: Learn the meaning and surprising history of hundreds of words and phrases
LOTS OF LISTS: Discover curated collections of literary insults, old-timey words, popular slang, and much more
WORD GAME WIZ: Includes tips for mastering popular word games from Scrabble to Wordle
WIT FOR WRITERS: Writers looking for just the right word will be inspired by hundreds of unusual and obscure words
REFERENCE FOR READERS: Fans of every genre, from Norse Myths to Victorian Romance will find histories, origins, and backstories of the words that make up their favorites reads
COMPLETE YOUR COLLECTION: Mental Floss: The Curious Reader, Mental Floss: The Curious Movie Buff, and Mental Floss: The Curious Viewer are also available
While major retailers like Amazon may carry Mental Floss: The Curious Compendium of Wonderful Words (A Miscellany of Obscure Terms, Bizarre Phrases & Surprising Etymologies), we specialize in bulk book sales and offer personalized service from our friendly, book-smart team based in Portland, Oregon. We’re proud to offer a Price Match Guarantee and a streamlined ordering experience from people who truly care.
We’re trusted by over 75,000 customers, many of whom return time and again. Want proof? Just check out our 25,000+ customer reviews—real feedback from people who love how we do business.
Prefer to talk to a real person? Our Book Specialists are here Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST and ready to help with your bulk order of Mental Floss: The Curious Compendium of Wonderful Words (A Miscellany of Obscure Terms, Bizarre Phrases & Surprising Etymologies).