Chrysti The Wordsmith: Drunk - 2

Greetings This is Christie the wordsmith. Last time on this series I introduced American author editor and word lover Paul Dixon and his most recent publication called Drunk the definitive drinkers dictionary an ambitious compilation of nearly 3000 synonyms and euphemisms for the word drunk. In the introduction to the dictionary Paul Dixon notes that quote the English language includes more synonyms for drunk than for any other word. Dixon offers some explanations for this phenomenon. First he says the condition of drunkenness which is self-imposed invites words implying folly. People who are drunk are odd looking. There's a slurring of speech and lack of visual focus that inspires wordplay. Second writes Dixon drinkers feel more comfortable euphemize ing their condition better to say that one was a little squiffy last night than to admit intoxication. Dixon continues. Finally I believe the reason there are so many words for drunk is that people get drunk for different reasons and it affects them in different ways.

So the vast English lexicon of synonyms simply reflects these many feelings and reactions. Paul Dixon has published several dictionaries during his 40 year professional writing career with such titles as the Dickson Baseball Dictionary the Congress dictionary and war slang but he has drunk the definitive drinkers dictionary is his most curious compendium next time. A sampling of Mr. Dixon's synonyms and euphemisms for drawing. I'm Christie the wordsmith Christie the wordsmith is sponsored by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and Zoot enterprises a high tech firm in Bozeman Montana offering challenging careers and innovative solutions for the financial services industry. Zoot web dot com.