blurb
pronunciation
How to pronounce blurb in British English:
UK [blɜ:b]
How to pronounce blurb in American English:
US [blɜrb]
-
- Noun:
- a promotional statement (as found on the dust jackets of books)
Word Origin
- blurb (n.)
- used by U.S. scholar Brander Matthews (1852-1929) in 1906 in "American Character;" popularized 1907 by U.S. humorist Frank Gelett Burgess (1866-1951). Originally mocking excessive praise printed on book jackets. Gelett Burgess, whose recent little book, "Are You a Bromide?" has been referred to above, then entertained the guests with some characteristic flashes of Burgessian humor. Referring to the word "blurb" on the wrapper of his book he said: "To 'blurb' is to make a sound like a publisher. The blurb was invented by Frank A. Munsey when he wrote on the front of his magazine in red ink 'I consider this number of Munsey's the hottest pie that ever came out of my bakery.' ... A blurb is a check drawn on Fame, and it is seldom honored.["] ["Publishers' Weekly," May 18, 1907]
Example
- 1. If you choose to make your book public , it can be sold on the blurb website .
- 2. In the blurb I couldn 't see anything about thinking at all .
- 3. I noticed his name in the blurb that you let me have .
- 4. Blurb can also share your images as a free online slide show or sell copies of the book through its online shop .
- 5. If you like the look of someone 's picture and blurb , you can chat and arrange to get together .