Someone just called you captious. Should you be flattered? Considering your extreme lactose intolerance, is it a good idea to order "veau au bechamel" from a French menu? Calumny is to slander as obloquy is to a) flattery, b) sermon, or c) invective? You've just heard that your new boss is a real martinet, should you be worried or excited about an attractive new addition to your workplace?Your boyfriend says you have no elan, is he telling you you're all out of yogurt? Starting to wish you'd paid more attention in English class? Don't worry, it's never too late to develop a million dollar vocabulary—and "Vocabulary For Dummies" offers you a fast, fun and easy way to do it. Whether you're facing standardized tests, or you want to feel more knowledgeable at work or more comfortable in social situations, this book is for you. In no time you'll: Dramatically expand your vocabularySpeak with styleWrite with panacheMake a better impression a work or schoolDine out with confidenceHave the right words for formal occasions and ethnic eventsGet more out of what you read "Vocabulary For Dummies" doesn't overwhelm you with endless word lists. Instead, it gives you a complete vocabulary-building program that familiarizes you with words from all areas of life as they're used in context—from bar mitzvahs to business meetings, PCs to politics—with a host of fun features, including: Word tables organized by common features, such as language of origin, professional or social contexts, similarities, and moreSample conversations incorporate new terms and define related onesBefore-and-After examples show how to replace old, general terms with new specific vocabularyPointers reinforce understanding with examples of correct and incorrect usageChapters on terms from finance, law, medicine, eating and shopping, history and mythology, various languages, and more "Vocabulary For Dummies" makes it easier than ever for you to get a handle on difficult words and get ahead at school, at work, and in life.