Reviews with content warning for Homophobia - Wordslut: A Feminist Guide to Taking Back the English Language

To put it in a way that Amanda Montell would probably enjoy, this book absolutely slaps. It combines two subjects I'm really interested in, gender and sociolinguistics, so I was predisposed to liking it and I'm probably biased, but it's SO good. Montell covers so much ground but each chapter is really well thought out and thoroughly researched. Some of my favourite parts were the sections on etymology, language relating to trans and LGBTQIAP+ communities, the way study of gendered insults, and women (particularly young women) as the innovators of language. If you're interested in English linguistics, this is an excellent read.

Content warnings for discussions of curse words, homophobia, transphobia, and misogyny.

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sunn_bleach's review against another edition

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funny informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.0

This book genuinely got me to think of language and usage as a white man - a white man who likes to think he’s a feminist ally. But there’s so much to learn, and this super witty and well-written book is right there (though I would have liked more direct citations). All I can ask from an activist and language book like this is that it gets me to think about who I am and who others are, and this did it.

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sdupont's review against another edition

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informative medium-paced

4.5

Wordslut is a fun and interesting examination at the relationship between language, gender, and society. Amanda Montell writes engaging nonfiction works. This book is well-researched and Montell explains her research and material in a manner that non-linguists can understand. I would recommend this book!

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concertconfetti's review against another edition

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challenging funny hopeful informative medium-paced

4.5

The audiobook is read by the author and is a joy to listen to - I especially appreciated the emphasis on the effects of misogyny on queer folks and folks of color. Extremely welcoming feminist text.

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paigeno's review against another edition

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funny informative lighthearted reflective fast-paced

4.5

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