The richness of a person's vocabulary is popularly thought to be a reflection of either intelligence or level of education. Accordingly, many standardised tests, such as the SAT, have questions that test vocabulary.
By words," Aristophanes said 2,400 years ago, "is the mind excited and the spirit elated." The first verse of the Gospel According to John says that "In the beginning was the Word," and all my life, words have fascinated me. I collect words the same way other people collect stamps or coins. Between 1973 and 1993, I put together a book of almost three hundred pages for my own amusement of new words that I've encountered. To no small degree, my world is nothing more or less than my words. As my vocabulary expands, so too does my ability to reflect, to remember, and to choose.
A is for Abram-Man
B is for Bordeaux
D is for Dicing
E is for Eels
F is for Feculant
G is for Garlic
H is for Henry VIII
I is for Insects
J is for Au Jus
K is for Kugel
L is for Love
M is for Mousse
N is for Nebuchadnezzer
O is for Onions
P is for Prunes
Q is for Quail
R is for Rutabaga
S is for Sugar
T is for Truffles
U is for Ugli Fruit
V is for Fritz Karl Vatel
W is for Weiners
X is for Xantippe
Y is for Yeast
Z is for Zest
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