The Gimlet Eye

Saying It with Flowers

IF I had a better idea of what it meant, I might use the word frisson to describe the sensation I got reading a sexually explicit book and coming across my own name. “Startled” might be a better word; “freaked out” also. At the time, though, none of these words leapt to mind. What leapt to mind, and what I said, was, “Holy s—!” (And if you think it’s easy pronouncing those dashes, just try it.)

About the Author

Andrew Ferguson

Andrew Ferguson, a former columnist for NR, is a contributing writer at The Atlantic and a fellow at the American Enterprise Institute.

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Saying It with Flowers

IF I had a better idea of what it meant, I might use the word frisson to describe the sensation I got reading a sexually explicit book and coming across my own name. “Startled” might be a better word; “freaked out” also. At the time, though, none of these words leapt to mind. What leapt to mind, and what I said, was, “Holy s—!” (And if you think it’s easy pronouncing those dashes, just try it.)