In the labyrinth of the English language, where words are both the map and the treasure, Maxwell Nurnberg's "I Always Look Up the Word Egregious" stands as a beacon for the intrepid explorer. With the meticulousness of a cartographer and the zeal of a treasure hunter, Nurnberg ventures beyond the academic confines, armed with nothing more than a red pencil, scissors, tape, and index cards, to chart a course through the rich terrains of The New York Times, The New Yorker, and the New York Review of Books. His quest? To forge a vocabulary book unbound by the traditional shackles, one that breathes life into words through the vibrant context of their real-world usage. This is not merely a book; it is a voyage into the heart of language, inviting readers to join in the discovery of words plucked from the pulsating realms of journalism and literature. Nurnberg's masterpiece is a tapestry of linguistic gems, each word a story, each definition a narrative woven from the threads of everyday discourse. "I Always Look Up the Word Egregious" transcends the bounds of a mere vocabulary builder, emerging as a compelling invitation to revel in the beauty and complexity of words, and to wield the power of language with newfound finesse and joy.