Huzzah! Oh frabjous day!

If I were the type of person to shout Huzzah! or intone with Lewis Carroll, Oh frabjous day! I would, right now. My last birthday present has arrived—the Oxford Historical Thesaurus. Not only does it give synonyms for nearly every word in English but it dates them as well. I am so excited. It’s perfect for a historical novelist. I can find out exactly what a character would say when happy or grieving or trying to get someone’s attention. My characters can swear with historical accuracy and call each other appropriate nasty names. My daughter’s friend, when she heard what I wanted for my birthday, said, “Your mother must be in love with words.” And, yes, she is. Galloping, galumphing, grizzled, glorious words! Shuffling, thrumbling, roistering, rioting words! The books are now my favorite birthday present ever, even better than the compost maker.