Fopdoodle and Salmagundi

Words and meanings from Dr Johnson’s dictionary that time forgot.

A revealing selection of over 1400 entries in Dr Johnson’s famous dictionary first published 250 years ago that show how meanings have changed, words have slipped out of use and attitudes have been transformed often with hilarious consequences.

This is a book of words and meanings that urgently need your help. Fopdoodle, salmagundi, kissingcrust, runnion and stingo are all endangered for lack of use. Since Samuel Johnson completed his dictionary scores of words, such as fizgig, jobbernowl and sponk have slipped away from common usage. You will very likely never have heard of most of them while some will be known but not used. Scores of others have definitions so obscure that you wonder why a word was needed at all. Was it necessary to have quite so many different words to describe the less fortunate members of society? Many, such as atom (cannot be split) and urinal (where water is kept for inspection) have changed their meaning completely, often with hilarious consequences. Some, such as tea (lately drunk in Europe) and coffee (comforteth the brain and heart) are included to provide a glimpse of life 250 years ago. Others such as Dragon (perhaps imaginary) and Swallow (a bird that hides in winter) show as yet unfilled gaps in understanding.

Fopdoodle and Salmagundi will delight anyone who is fascinated by the evolution, humour and eccentricity of the English language or enjoys the challenge of a word game.

In compiling this selection of little used and unfrequented gems of our language the editor makes the simple request that you slip them into conversation in the hope that their use will be perpetuated. They really are too good to lose.

What the reviewers said about Fopdoodle and Salmagundi

A fascinating book Andrew Motion Poet Laureate

Good Housekeeping Magazine This is a book that I would love to be given for Christmas Alexander McCall Smith

Sunday Telegraph Magazine Edward Allhusen’s selection from the great work is not just an accessible introduction to it but has a charm of its own. At a knockabout level, the editor has included familiar contemporary words that had utterly different meanings in 1755 Claire Harman

The Oldie Wonderful words with even more wonderful definitions.

The Good Book Guide Selected as a recommended gift for Christmas.

Afterclap
Unexpected events happening after an affair is supposed to be at an end.


Atom
Such a small particle as cannot be physically divided.


Camelopard
An Abyssinian animal, taller than an elephant, but not so thick. He is so named because he has a neck like a camel. The Italians call him a giraffe.


Couple-beggar
One that makes it his business to marry beggars to each other.


Liplabour
Action of the lips without concurrence of the mind.


Statesman
A politician, one versed in the arts of government.


Stateswoman
A woman who meddles with public affairs.


Stockjobber
A low wretch who gets money by buying and selling shares.


Tarantula
An insect whose bite is only cured by music.


Torpedo
A fish which while alive, if touched even with a long stick benumbs the hand that so touches it, but when dead is eaten safely.


Urinal
A bottle in which water is kept for inspection.