How to Sound Smart: A Quick and Witty Guide

by Norah Vincent, Chad Conway

Book by Vincent, Norah, Conway, Chad

Genres: Psychology, Language

229 pages, Hardcover

First published May 13, 1998

About the author

Norah Vincent was a senior fellow at the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies from its 2001 inception to 2003. As a freelance journalist, Vincent wrote columns for Salon, The Advocate, the Los Angeles Times, and The Village Voice. Her essays, columns and reviews appeared in The New Republic, The New York Times, The New York Post, The Washington Post and many more regional newspapers around the country. In 2003 she took a leave from writing her nationally syndicated political opinion columns in order to write her New York Times bestselling book Self-Made Man, the story of a woman living, working and dating in drag as a man.

Vincent held a bachelor's degree in philosophy from Williams College. Prior to her death she lived in New York City.

Vincent died via medically assisted suicide on July 6, 2022 at a clinic in Switzerland.

Reviews

[Lafcadio · Rating 4 out of 5]

A dictionary style setup with words commonly thrown around by the intellectual elite. The pronunciation keys are easy to follow, and commonly confused words are paired. Quite useful.

[Megan · Rating 2 out of 5]

many helpful terms explained like i.e.- (id est- that is) and e.g.- (exempli gratia- for example) among many others. not the most exciting read, but a handy book to have...

[Chip Cook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like The Phrase-Dropper's Handbook, this is something everyone who enjoys bluffing every once in a while should have. It relies heavily on your skill pronouncing French.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received this as a joke gift after graduating from high school. It defines many fairly common phrases (Gordian knot, deus ex machina, prima facie) and gives examples and pronunciation.

[M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Haha!clever little devils. Categorical Imperative by Kant ex: treat others as you would want them to treat you. Nice little book.