What new words will you learn on Thesaurus Day? Will you discover all of the different ways to say ‘hat’? Or maybe you are more interested in words that have to do with computers. If you are a writer, what new words will you be learning to put in the book you are writing? Challenge your brain today, and see how many new words and phrases you can add to your vocabulary.


Public Domain, Peter Mark Roget

On January 18, 1779, Peter Mark Roget was born. Once he retired from a successful career in medicine, this man put together a book of synonyms that is still in use today. We all know this book as the thesaurus. It has been updated many times, and I’m sure new words added, but we owe our gratitude to this man for the book that still has his name on it.

Thesaurus is the Latin word for treasure, and that perfectly describes what this book is. When writing a report, research paper, or article, it is indispensable. Roget’s Super Thesaurus has synonyms for just about every word. Many of the words also have antonyms listed, as well as sample sentences and quotations. This book can build your vocabulary if used often enough.

For an example, I’m going to tell you about the word toddler. There are six synonyms listed for this noun. They are baby, tot, child, preschooler, rug rat, and holy terror. The last two synonyms, rug rat and holy terror, have an asterisk beside them. This means that these are slang or informal words. For more information, you are told to refer back to the word ‘baby’.

There are 14 synonyms listed for the noun ‘baby’, as well as two quotations. Along with the synonyms, there is also a ‘Word Find’. With it, you learn that a baby that is abandoned and found is called a foundling. A baby carriage can be called a buggy, pram, stroller, or perambulator. And there are many more listed. At the end of the long list, you are told to refer to birth, child, children, or pregnancy. I’m sure by now you get the idea of how the thesaurus works. It is so much more than a book of synonyms.

On January 18, we need to thank the man who originally came up with this wonderful idea. This book he wrote as a way of battling the depression he went through has been a gift for all of us.

Crelebrate this day by creating a character who is battling some major depression and needs to find something to do to distract her from what is causing it. Come up with a creative, useful way for her to overcome it, and make this way one that will be remembered down through history. And be sure to use your thesaurus.

If you don’t happen to have a thesaurus and would like to purchase one, I've provided some Amazon links below.

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