In The Best Families - The Unfamiliar Word

The Unfamiliar Word

In most Nero Wolfe novels and novellas, there is at least one unfamiliar word, usually spoken by Wolfe. In the Best Families contains the following:

  • Trepidant. Just prior to the end of Chapter 2.
  • Dissimulation, chapter 13. Wolfe sometimes withholds information from Archie so that he won't have to conceal knowledge by feigning ignorance. In the Best Families is arguably the best case for Wolfe's practice:
You should act as if ... you knew nothing. Under what circumstances would you do that most convincingly? You are capable of dissimulation, but why try you so severely?
  • Minim. Page 150 (Viking edition). Chapter 13. "A minim of cause for suspicion and I'm through."

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