Word Fugitives

A clever compendium of newly minted words for everyday use, based on the popular column in The Atlantic.

How many times have you searched for a word that means just what you want to express, yet failed to find anything suitable? Most of us, it turns out, lead lives rife with experiences, people, and things that have no names. Word Fugitives comes to the rescue, supplying hundreds of inspired words coined or redefined to meet these everyday needs.


For instance, wouldn't it be handy to have a word for the momentary confusion people experience when they hear a cell phone ringing and wonder whether it's theirs? How about fauxcellarm, phonundrum, or pandephonium? Need a word for adult offspring? Try unchildren or offsprung. A word for the irrational fear that no one will show up to your party? That might be guestlessness, empty-fest syndrome, or fete-alism.


Inspired by Barbara Wallraff's popular column in The Atlantic Monthly, this volume is brimming with irresistible diversions and pop quizzes; illuminated by contributions and commentary from authors, linguists, and leading language authorities; and enlivened by pleas for help from people whose words have yet to be found.