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Home > Categories > Books > Non-Fiction > Name Dropping? A No-Nonsense Guide to the Use of Names review
Ever had a Hitchcockian experience (in the shower perhaps?!) or met someone with a distinctly Ortonesque outlook on life?
There are hundreds of words derived from real people who are famous - or infamous - enough to give their stamp to a movement, a way of thinking or acting, a style or even a mood.
"Name Dropping" is an essential guide to the better known or more intriguing of these terms from figures in politics, sport, and the arts. It is a valuable, interesting and often humorous resource for those looking for definitions or simply browsing for pleasure.
Entries are listed alphabetically with full explanations, examples from the press and other media, guidance on usage and a 'Pretentiousness Index.'
• Over 400 commonly found terms
• Organised in a handy A-Z format
• Gives examples of usage from the media
• Rates words according to a 'Pretentiousness Index'
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Review by: diogenes (Rob)
Dated: 27th of July, 2007
Yet another book from the prolific pen of Philip Gooden, this time examining the use of names in the English language.
Primarily written from the English English point of view, with the occasional nod to the use of American names being used (where they are dropped in English newspapers or to clarify a point), Gooden has produced an invaluable reference book to the use of names, their origin and their use.
Good use of reference material, invariably sourced from English newspapers (well, we do have the best newspapers!), is used to good effect to illustrate the usage of each name. Gooden also provides a snappy definition for each name used accompanied by a short 'biography' of the person or historical figure.
I particularly love Gooden's use of a 'pretentiousness index' indicated by the use of exclaimation marks, as he did in his previous book Faux Pas. I must admit I immediately flicked through the entire book to find the magic !!! (exceedingly pretentious) rating. I was disappointed not to find even one !!! rating, but there are plenty of !! ratings to satisfy even the most pretentious of writers.
Name Dropping is set to become another standard reference book amongst the shelves of writers, journalists and any logophiliac. If you are a fan of Gooden's work, you will not be disappointed by this offering.
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"Political language... is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable, and to give an appearance of solidity to pure wind."
George Orwell (1903 - 1950)
