Charles Earle Funk

  • 6

    Catalog books

  • 6

    Works

  • 1993 to 2005

    Strongest span

Who This Author Is

Charles Earle Funk collects and explains playful, odd, and forgotten words, inviting readers to delight in language quirks. In Horsefeathers: And Other Curious Words he pairs definitions with short commentary, turning etymology and usage into an engaging, accessible read for anyone who enjoys linguistic curiosities.

Funk’s approach favors clear, concise entries and a light, conversational tone that makes obscure vocabulary approachable. Horsefeathers serves as a sampler of his fascination with word origins and eccentric expressions, useful both for casual browsing and for readers hunting colorful language to brighten their speech.

Best Place To Start

Horsefeathers: And Other Curious Words

Harpercollins • 2002 • standard commitment

It helps anchor a specific period of this author’s publishing run instead of blending into the undated shelf clutter.

Author At A Glance

Best known for: Wordplay and etymology • Collections of curious and obsolete words • Playful definitions

Genres and themes: Language and linguistics • Humor and wit • Lexicography

Who this author is best for: Good for readers who enjoy quirky word lists, playful definitions, and short, curiosity-driven entries about language.

Start with Horsefeathers to sample Funk’s playful entries and browse by topic or alphabetical sections for quick dips.

Top Books To Start With

  1. Horsefeathers: And Other Curious Words

    Harpercollins • 2002 • standard commitment

    UPB note: one of the most common used-copy publishers for this author • year signal: 2002 • 256 pages.

  2. A Hog on Ice: & Other Curious Expressions

    Harpercollins • 2002 • standard commitment

    UPB note: one of the most common used-copy publishers for this author • year signal: 2002 • 224 pages.

  3. Thereby Hangs A Tale: Stories of Curious Word Origins

    Harpercollins • 2002 • standard commitment

    UPB note: one of the most common used-copy publishers for this author • year signal: 2002 • 320 pages.

  4. Thereby Hangs a Tale (Perennial Library)

    Harpercollins • 2005 • commitment varies by edition

    UPB note: one of the most common used-copy publishers for this author • year signal: 2005.

  5. Heavens to Betsy!

    Tandem Library • 2002 • commitment varies by edition

    UPB note: year signal: 2002.

  6. 2107 Curious Word Origins, Sayings and Expressions from White Elephants to Song Dance

    Galahad • 1993 • oversized commitment

    UPB note: year signal: 1993 • 992 pages.

How The Picks Compare

  • A Hog on Ice: & Other Curious Expressions is the easier short commitment, while Horsefeathers: And Other Curious Words asks for more reading time up front.

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