Dictionary of Fine Distinctions by Eli Burnstein

‘Delightful’ Steven Pinker
‘A joy to read’ David Crystal

Swamp or bog? Guilt or shame? Poisonous or venomous?

We pick from a wealth of words to express ourselves each day, giving precious little thought to the specifics or their meaning. But are we using them with any degree of accuracy – or should that be precision?

For hair-splitters and language lovers, Dictionary of Fine Distinctions explores the words that too many of us collapse, conflate or confuse. Inspecting the vanishingly small distinctions between them that make all the difference, Eli Burnstein’s witty deep dives into everything from food and fashion to ethics and architecture will sharpen your understanding, tickle your mind and bring clarity at last.

A charmingly illustrated and witty stocking filler for language lovers

About the Author: Eli Burnstein is a Canadian humour writer, living in London. His work has appeared in the New Yorker, McSweeney’s Internet Tendency, Slackjaw, Weekly Humorist and Points in Case. He runs a spelling bee (Spelling Bae) that has been featured in the Toronto Star and the National Post, and on CBC Radio.

04 Sep 2025
 

Dictionary of Fine Distinctions: Nuances, Niceties and Subtle Shades of Meaning by Eli Burnstein ISBN 9781805227229