<p><b>'This "essential cornucopia" aims to inspire you to use uncommon words in their original contex'- <i>Bookseller</i></b><br><br>Ever wanted to <b>ameliorate</b> your <b>atavistic</b> lexicon, engage in a little intellectual <b>badinage </b>or been <b>discombobulated</b> by tricky diction? <i>500 Words You Should Know</i> has you covered. This book will inspire the reader to use uncommon words in their correct context, utilize the English language to its full potential, and test themselves on the words they think they already know. <br><br>This is a book for the appreciator of correct usage, and contains words you thought you knew (<b>decimate</b>, <b>caveat</b>, <b>nemesis</b>), words you should know (<b>euphemism</b>, <b>diatribe</b>, <b>tautology</b>), and just a few that you might want to know (<b>peripatetic</b>, <b>shibboleth</b>, <b>callipygian</b>). <br><br>Arranged thematically, each word is dissected, with a brief explanation of etymology, historical and modern usage, allowing you to fully understand and effectively employ the word in its proper context.<br><br>For those interested in everything this <b>eclectic</b> language has to offer, who wish to celebrate its majesty and depth, this <b>veracious cornucopia</b> of knowledge will have you <b>confabulating</b> with the literary <b>cognoscenti</b> in no time.<br><br><b>By the same author:</b><br>9781843176572 <i>My Grammar and I (Or Should That Be 'Me'?)</i><br>9781782438205 <i>The Accidental Apostrophe</i></p>