Between TV talk shows, radio call-in programs, email and the Internet, spontaneous-talk media has skyrocketed in the '90s. People are interacting more frequently and more fervently than ever before, turning the English language into an indecipherable mess. Now, this unique and concise compendium presents the most confused and misused words in the language today — words misused by careless speakers and writers everywhere. It defines, discerns and distinguishes the finer points of sense and meaning. Was it fortuitous or only fortunate? Are you trying to remember, or more fully recollect? Is he uninterested or disinterested? Is it healthful or healthy, regretful or regrettable, notorious or infamous? The answers to these and many more fascinating etymological questions can be found within the pages of this invaluable (or is it valuable?) reference.Author Biography: Eugene Ehrlich, formerly a member of the department of English and Comparative Literature at Columbia University, is the author of numerous reference books on language, including Amo, Amos, Amat, and More and The Highly Selective Thesaurus for the Extraordinary Literate. He is also the coeditor of the Oxford American Dictionary.