Yes, tsuwm. As I interpret Mrs. B's contribution to word hounds, she is exactly as you put it: a middle man. In fact, I would enjoy being such a middle man if I had the time that doesn't appear to be forthcoming in this lifetime. Maybe in the next. Ferrophiliac is my onliest entry so far. Oh, by the way, the now-deceased editor of the Random House Word Menu was Stephen Glazier. I've mentioned him to you before, but will go ahead and type out his name here since I have his book by my side now. He, like Mrs. B., didn't footnote his entries--even his more obscure entries like ferrophiliac.

What I'd like to know is how she went about compiling her lists. Even in the age of computers, what she did wasn't an easy feat--especially given the fact that a certain percentage of her words [wouldn't we like to knoww!] were fabricated ones that so happened to appear in these 'dictionaries' she'd investigated.

The zzx word is really hilarious to me, all things considered now.