Blurb

From the Fourth Edition of The Penguin Dictionary of Literary Terms and Literary Theory.

blurb A brief description of the contents of a book printed on the dust jacket. Often couched in enthusiastic and, at times, extravagent [sic] terms. The word is believed to have been coined by the American author Gelett Burgess who defined it as 'a sound like a publisher'. Earlier the term 'puff' was used, probably after Mr Puff in Sheridan's The Critic (1779). See also PUFFERY.

And who can resist quoting the blurb on the very book that defines blurb?

Some entries accomplish cameo wonders of literary history. Others are funny … generously and urbanely compiled. THE NEW YORK TIMES

A treasure. BERNEVAL

And so for day 1996
31.05.2012