Why people recommend it
Anguished English by Richard Lederer is a humorous and entertaining collection that explores the hilarious blunders, fractured syntax, and amusing oddities of the English language. On an episode of How I Write, Steven Pinker brought up Richard Lederer's delightful books, including both Crazy English and Anguished English, while discussing the various quirky rules and historical eccentricities found within human communication. Pinker noted how these works capture the amusing ways people unintentionally bend and break linguistic structures. Similarly, Annie Duke enthusiastically recommended Anguished English during an appearance on Conversations with Tyler, sharing it as a genuinely hilarious read that she suggests to everyone. Duke connected the book to her father's lifelong passion for wordplay, puns, and the joyful absurdity hidden inside everyday vocabulary. Both guests highlighted the book's unique ability to entertain readers through linguistic mistakes, exam bloopers, and comical misreadings. Lederer's work ultimately stands out as a joyful celebration of linguistic imperfection, proving that mistakes in grammar and spelling can often yield some of the most genuinely funny literature available for language enthusiasts and casual readers alike.
Who recommended it
- Steven Pinker Recommended
- Annie Duke Recommended
Steven Pinker — 1 mention
“Letterer has written a number of delightful books like Crazy English and Anguished English.”
Annie Duke — 1 mention
“that being said i will recommend to everybody that if you haven't read anguished english it's a really hilarious book”