Bringing Splendid Back

I never hear the word "splendid" anymore and that's a damn shame because it's such an evocative term.  "Splendid" is one of the best words to use in setting a mood and I have no idea why it's gone out of style. 

For example, as the ability to make polite small talk completely alludes me, I'm only going to bother to ask you how your weekend was when I actually care about your response.  So when you reply with a bullshit throw-away term like "good" or "fine," I have no clue as to the quality of your Saturday or Sunday and it bothers me. 

Does saying your weekend was "fine" mean you went out for a lovely dinner and you found three pairs of Via Spigas marked down to nothing at Nordstrom Rack and when you got home you watched Matt Damon movies on the big screen while eating a Barcelona bar?

Or was your weekend "good," which could very well imply the highlight was when you chased hipsters off your lawn with the same shovel you'd used to address Mt. Doody in the backyard hours earlier?

Who can tell?  Certainly not me. 

But if you were to reply, "Jen, my weekend was splendid!" then the movies and candy and shoes would be implied and I'd be happy for you.

Oh, splendid... splendid... where for art thou, splendid?  Did that fake sugar steal all your thunder?  Or have you been going the of the dinosaur because kids have no idea how to shorten "splendid" into LolcatTextySpeak?

Well, listen up, splendid - I'm not going to let you go quietly into that goodnight.  I pledge to help preserve your legacy in print.  I promise to use you when I write my next book. 

And you know what? 

This might be an appropriate place to mention the announcement that came out in Publisher's Weekly today:

Blogger Jen Lancaster (jennsylvania.com) has made a deal with Kara Cesare at NAL for a fourth memoir, Pretty in Plaid, via Kate Garrick at DeFiore & Co. Since 2006, Lancaster has published one book a year with NAL; the first two, Bitter Is the New Black and Bright Lights, Big Ass have almost 200,000 copies in print. Her third memoir, Such a Pretty Fat, hits stores this May. Pub date for Pretty, to be the prequel to Bitter, is summer 2009.

I've been telling people Pretty in Plaid is a memoir about being a socially awkward 'tween, privately summing it up as The Book in Which I Go David Sedaris All Over Your Asses - but the Publisher's Weekly description is nice, too...

Possibly even splendid.

Jennsylvania, effectively burying the lede since 2005.

Comments

[Peggi]

Yay!! I just pre-ordered my copy of "Pretty Fat" - May 6 needs to get here now!!!!

[Renee]

I cannot wait until May for the third one. I just finished reading Bright Lights and I realized I have a nonsexual crush on you! You keep me in stitches and I think your fantabulous. Keep 'em coming

[Katee]

I have to wonder if you're getting tired of all these people saying "splendid"...

Can't wait for the next book. :-) I'm sure it will be phenomenal.

[Laura O.]

woo!!! Can't wait!

[Leslie]

Not only is it quite fabulous that another book is forthcoming, but I'm also excited to see that you share my affinity for a colorful and unique vocabulary!

[KS]

Congratulations! And since you're writing about words, you meant "eludes" rather than "alludes" ("the ability to make polite small talk completely alludes me").

: - )

[LaskiGal]

I think from the look of these comments you have singlehandedly brought SPLENDID back . . .

Congrats!

[Holly]

woo hoo for books 3 and 4!!! I can't wait, jen. Just wish you were visiting Destin, FL. www.finickycritic.com

[Amy]

That is SPLENDID news Jen! Congrats!

[Emily]

I am happy to report that I was successful in saying the word 'splendid' seven times at school today (with the result of several awkward silences and weird looks from witnesses), and intend to repeat the experience every day for the rest of the week.
You’re welcome.

[Katie]

SHUT THE FRONT DOOR!
My now really stupid boring day is now just a little bit brighter!

[Erin]

Horray! Looking forward to both new books and hoping to uncover more gems like "asshat" and "fucktard" that I can add to my vernacular. Something tells me Pretty in Plaid WON'T be about your days running drugs for the Crips or being raised poor in South Central.

[Carrie]

Just because of you, I totally used the word "splendid" in a paper for school yesterday! Rock it.

[Abigail Jennings]

I heartily agree with Steph above. LOVELY. Now that's an elegant word. Although, I must say, the almighty "Darling" could use a come back. Everytime I watch Lonesome Dove and I hear ol' Augustus call out for "Lori Darlin'" my heart sighs for the old days.
You should try it:
"Fletch...dahling...get me another barcelona bar?! NOW!"
Yippee for another book, dahling!! ;0)

[Kathy]

At the risk of sounding very Holly Golitely-ish, this news is simply divine!
Congratulations to you and I, for one, will be looking forward to it!

[Brynn]

I've been trying to bring back the word "hoot" for awhile now. Because seriously? How amazing is it to refer to something as "GOD! What a hoot!"

[Rennie]

I am SO happy to hear about your fourth book! Except, um, 2009? Can't wait that long. Sorry. Speed it up. Please? ;)

-LancasterWithdrawal

[Tosha]

I've heard such GREAT things about your books and your blog. I can't WAIT to get Bitter is the New Black in my hand and start it! Congrats on the deal, that's SPLENDID!

[hebba]

Congrats on the book. I have always been partial to "smashing" as an adjective. And my college roommate recently used "fisticuffs" in a real live conversation! Not only does it sound great, but its really fun to say, too.

[LLori]

Another hardy Congratulations to you & yours! What splendid GOOD NEWS on this bright & superb day!

[LLori]

Another hardy Congratulations to you & yours! What splendid GOOD NEWS on this bright & superb day!

[sarah]

I saw a girl at the gym today reading "Bitter" on the stationary bike so I went up to her hoping to have one of those "Don't you just love Jen Lancaster?!" "OMG! I DO! Do you read her blog?!" "Yes! I check it everday!" moments.

So I approached her and said "I love this book! Jen Lancaster is fantastic." And she lifted her eyes at me and said "um, yeah." and returned to you.

splendid.

[Kristin]

Congratulations on this splendid news!

[Joy]

I haven't even gotten to read the 3rd book and already I am relieved that there will be a 4th! I don't know what I will do when you retire from writing!

[patricia]

Congratulations on the new book!

I like fabulous and rarely use it. But fabulous is one of those words that, if overused, makes you sound like a pretentious ass. Not that I really need help in that area but that's a minor detail.

[Reluctant Housewife]

Splendid post, Jen.
And is "goody!!" to silly a sentiment to apply to another book? I'm delighted. Seriously. Congratulations too.

[Kristin]

YAY!! The BFF and I are on the edge waitin for Pretty Fat, and now we have something even bigger to look forward too!!!!
Splendid, damn it, that's quacktastic!

[Geri]

Whoo!! Fabulous, simply fabulous darling!

[tia]

yay! can't wait for the book(s!

[Katie P in Columbus]

WHOO HOO!!! So excited! :)

[Nicole]

OMG... PONIES! I am so excited for your new book! Totally new excitement, not to be confused with the excitement for the book being released soon... that is double the excitement for the day, which is far too much excitement for a Monday. It's like you just put streamers on my pony.

[Cincy from Cincinnati]

This weekend I watched some of "Anne of Green Gables" with my friend's 8 year old and it was SPLENDID! The use of all those hardly used unique words simply mesmerized my friend's kids. Every child should have to watch those DVD's and add the fun big words to their vocabulary.

I agree, bring back SPLENDID!

PS - I didn't get to post in the comments section for your Marion Cotillard story...Thank you for educating me on her views and I will not be adding her Oscar winning movie to my Netflix cue, nor getting it EVER from the library. Her French Ignorance is inexcuseble! My American Dollars will not support her.

[Jess]

SO excited another book is coming out, even though the 3rd one's not even out yet, LOL!!! So much to look forward to!! Can't wait to see you in NYC in May!

[Jess]

SO excited another book is coming out, even though the 3rd one's not even out yet, LOL!!! So much to look forward to!! Can't wait to see you in NYC in May!

[Michelle]

It would be splendid if you would make a stop in Boston when you are doing the book tour....

[Geege]

Yay! Another book...I can't wait :)

I'm glad you've committed to bringing splendid back. You sure have a way with words - I just finished reading The Spinster Sisters by Stacey Ballis (awesome book) and noticed she used the word 'asshat'. I snorted right out loud(on the beach in Mexico) cause the first time I'd ever seen it was in Bitter. Way to go Jen ... I know splendid will be back in no time.

[sizzle]

I think that's more than "splendid"!

[Christi]

I love the lovely "splendid". I also quite enjoy "jaunty". I am seriously ecsttis over your 2 new books! FANTABULOUS!
(Another favorite.)

[jenmakesmehorselaugh]

I am going to be the first not to use the word splendid in my post~even if I am totally committed to being part of the kick ass group of women who influence the world enough to make a word cool again.

ps-im totally pumped about the new book, wonder when amazon will let us pre-order

[TX Poppet]

I expect evil babysitter tales. Please don't disapoint me! Ah, you couldn't disapoint me if you tried. Congratulations!

[Kate]

Jen,

I love your books and just pre-ordered Such a Pretty Fat (wishing it was on it's way right now). Thanks for lifting my spirits (yet again) by announcing yet another new book! This just makes my crappy day better.

[Ginny]

Okay -- probably enough "splendid" above for one day -- so yaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!! This is the greatest news EVER! Right up there with how I would feel right now if the Academy Awards people went all Olympic-Committee-to-Marion-Jonesy right now and took Marion Cotillard's Oscar back!

And "Pretty In Plaid" is a great title. I can't wait to see the subtitle you come up with. Those are always hysterical!!

[Beckie]

Fabulously Splendid!!!! When does pre-order start?????

[Molly]

Congratulations! This is splendid news! When can I pre-order?

[Cathy D.]

Congratulations, this is magnificent news!

[Kari]

What splendid news! Here I thought I would have nothing to look forward to in 2009 (as I will be enjoying my last year in my 20s then). As for splendid, I've been known to use the word and agree that it needs to be brought back to a more common use. It's worth typing the whole thing out via texting anyhow!

[Liz]

This is such good news!! I am on a roll...first my puppy made the TGIF post on Jezebel, and now a fourth Jen Lancaster book...I should go buy a lottery ticket.

[Paula]

YOU are splendid. I can't wait for Pretty Fat and Pretty Plaid to come out.

[tutugirl1345]

I just got back from the gym and saw this...I'm so excited about this I nearly pulled a Brandi Chastain. I think for Pretty in Plaid you should include pictures of baby Jen in her pearls!

[Patti_Mayo]

I am super excited. I'm going to be lending one of my colleagues Bitter and Bright Lights. I can't wait for Pretty to come out.

This is splendid. You totally rock!!