Origin of Invented Words Blurb

About the history, origins, and definitions of the invented word blurb.

ORIGIN OF INVENTED WORDS

Blurb - A laudatory ad, especially on a book jacket. Coined by American humorist Gelett Burgess (1866-1951). At the turn of the century, it was customary to adorn the cover of a novel with the picture of a young woman. When his latest book was about to be distributed at a 1907 booksellers' convention, Burgess redesigned its jacket in honor of the occasion. He placed the requisite female on the cover, added a winsome smile and otherwise enhanced her appearance, and christened her Miss Blinda Blurb in the accompanying ad text. The name stuck.