• click here to return to the homepage •
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'
Faux Pas?
Simon Gault Cooks
Instructions for New Zealanders
Pirateology - A Pirate's Guide and Model Ship
The Book of God and Physics
Spartan Gold
The Grand Design
Forever
Rebel Heart
My New Zealand Story: Cup Magic
Ricky Ricotta's Mighty Robot vs the Jurassic Jackrabbits from Jupiter
The Expanse - 5 - Nemesis Games
King of Ashes
The Only Dinosaur In SchoolProduct reviews...
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.
Random listing from 'Books'...
Guided by the dragon Tintaglia, they came from the sea: a Tangle of serpents fighting their way up the Rain Wild River, the first to make the perilous journey in generations.
For Thymara, a Rainwilder born with scales and claws, the return of dragons symbolises the return of hope to her war-torn world. Leftrin, captain of the liveship Tarman, also has an interest in the hatching; as does Bingtown newlywed, Alise Finbok, who ... more...
All trademarks, images and copyrights on this site are owned by their respective companies.
KIWIreviews is an independent entity, part of the Knock Out News Group. This is a free public forum presenting user opinions on selected products, and as such the views expressed do not necessarily reflect the opinion of kiwireviews.nz and are protected under New Zealand law by the "Honest Opinion" clause of the Defamation Act of 1992. KIWIreviews accepts no liability for statements made on this site, on the premise that they have been submitted as the true and honest opinions of the individual posters. In most cases, prices and dates stated are approximate and should be considered as only guidelines.
"Did you ever notice that when you blow in a dog's face, he gets mad at you, but when you take him on a car ride, he sticks his head out the window?"
unattributed
