Tags
antonyms, Arthur Conan Doyle, blogging101, books, Dictionary of Synonyms and Antonyms, elderly, history, Sherlock Holmes, synonyms, thesaurus, words, World Syndicate Publishing Company, writing
I unburied a treasure today. I found it in a dark corner of an old bookcase where it had been placed and forgotten a long time ago.
Visiting my 94 year-old father-in-law, I came across this amazing book: “A Dictionary of Synonyms and Antonyms,” copyright 1938. Although I have owned a thesaurus of course, there is something special about this book with its yellowed pages, red edges and torn binding.
I did a little research on the publisher, The World Syndicate Publishing Company, and learned the founder arrived in Ohio from Europe in 1902. The company published “Webster’s New World Dictionary of the American Language” in 1941 after becoming the largest publisher of Bibles and dictionaries in the U.S. in 1940. The company was sold in 1963.
My continual quest for new words allures [entices, cajoles, captivates] me to this book in the same way I am fascinated [enchanted, bewitched, enamored] by the archaic words discovered through Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes and Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot. No techno-speak resides here. Rather there are 190 pages crowded with a multitude [throng, collection, assemblage] of words to add color and life to my writing.
Words are a gift because without them, how would we unfetter [unchain, emancipate, inspirit] our thoughts?
Sounds like a wonderful collector’s item. And a useful one, too!
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Yes, it may just be my new best friend
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What a find, and what a gift from your father-in-law. My favorite modern version is the Synonym Finder from J.I.Rodale. It was printed in 1978. It would be fun to compare them.
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Does your book have antonyms too?
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I love the fragrance of old books.
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Yes, platosgroove, it has an aroma that conjures up images of an old world library with high ceilings, ornate architecture, rich wood and silent study.
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I don’t really see myself as a writer. Like Ive said elsewhere . . I write with crayons. But I love words and how they are much larger on the inside than the out if one only takes the time to look. That book you found reminded me of that. Thank you.
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Comments like yours demonstrate one of the reasons I love blogging. How rewarding it is to be thanked for sharing thoughts and experiences. That is a rare occurence in live personal interactions.
By the way, platosgroove, you sound like a writer to me😊
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Rare is what we are looking for I think amidst all the overdone tired same old same old. Your book was rare but someone finding it who appreciated its worth is miraculous. That you wrote about your treasure and reminded me of something I love enlarged and gave the miracle more power. Maybe Im a writer a little bit. Just need to do it with the heart of a child. My serious competent self has gotten so old. Be groovy.
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Your comment gave me an idea for another post. Stay tuned. 😊
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Fun
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A lovely find, the sensuality of being able to feel and smell the book no doubt adds to the pleasure of discovering those new words!
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So true, Andrea. The book arouses the senses like no new book ever could.
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