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The Clicking of Cuthbert
The Clicking of Cuthbert

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of The Clicking of Cuthbert is here in full — 420 sentences across 84 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The Clicking of Cuthbert
Context Illustration Reading 1/84 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
FORE!
This book marks an epoch in my literary career.
It is written in blood.
It is the outpouring of a soul as deeply seared by Fate's unkindness as the fairway on the dog-leg hole of the second nine was ever seared by my iron.
It is the work of a very nearly desperate man, an eighteen-handicap man who has got to look extremely slippy if he doesn't want to find himself in the twenties again.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Clicking of Cuthbert

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of The Clicking of Cuthbert is here in full — 420 sentences across 84 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/84 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
FORE!
/fɔːr/
Line 2
This book marks an epoch in my literary career.
/ðɪs bʊk mɑːrks æn ˈepək ɪn maɪ ˈlɪtəreri kərˈɪr/
Line 3
It is written in blood.
/ɪt ɪz ˈrɪtən ɪn blʌd/
Line 4
It is the outpouring of a soul as deeply seared by Fate's unkindness as the fairway on the dog-leg hole of the second nine was ever seared by my iron.
Line 5
It is the work of a very nearly desperate man, an eighteen-handicap man who has got to look extremely slippy if he doesn't want to find himself in the twenties again.

Learner Dictionary

These definitions explain words found in the current reading and keep every example grounded in its original sentence.

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, and audio.

career noun US /kərˈɪr/

the particular occupation for which you are trained

From this reading “This book marks an epoch in my literary career.”

epoch noun US /ˈepək/

a period marked by distinctive character or reckoned from a fixed point or event

From this reading “This book marks an epoch in my literary career.”

fairway noun US /ˈferweɪ/

the area between the tee and putting green where the grass is cut short

From this reading “It is the outpouring of a soul as deeply seared by Fate's unkindness as the fairway on the dog-leg hole of the second nine was ever seared by my iron.”

fore noun US /fɔːr/

front part of a vessel or aircraft

From this reading “FORE!”

marks noun US /mɑːrks/

English businessman who created a retail chain (1888-1964)

From this reading “This book marks an epoch in my literary career.”

outpouring noun US /ˌaʊtˈpɔːrɪŋ/

a natural flow of ground water

From this reading “It is the outpouring of a soul as deeply seared by Fate's unkindness as the fairway on the dog-leg hole of the second nine was ever seared by my iron.”

seared adjective US /sɪrd/

having the surface burned quickly with intense heat

From this reading “It is the outpouring of a soul as deeply seared by Fate's unkindness as the fairway on the dog-leg hole of the second nine was ever seared by my iron.”

twenties noun US /ˈtwentiz/

the time of life between 20 and 30

From this reading “It is the work of a very nearly desperate man, an eighteen-handicap man who has got to look extremely slippy if he doesn't want to find himself in the twenties again.”

All words in this reading · 55

Every word in these five lines is listed here, and every one of them can be played on its own.

Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading It is the outpouring of a soul as deeply seared by Fate's unkindness as the fairway on the dog-leg hole of the second nine was ever seared by my iron.

againadverbUS /əˈɡen/

anew

From this reading It is the work of a very nearly desperate man, an eighteen-handicap man who has got to look extremely slippy if he doesn't want to find himself in the twenties again.

andeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading This book marks an epoch in my literary career.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading It is the outpouring of a soul as deeply seared by Fate's unkindness as the fairway on the dog-leg hole of the second nine was ever seared by my iron.

bloodnounUS /blʌd/

The red fluid that circulates in the heart and blood vessels.

From this reading It is written in blood.

booknounUS /bʊk/

a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)

From this reading This book marks an epoch in my literary career.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading It is the outpouring of a soul as deeply seared by Fate's unkindness as the fairway on the dog-leg hole of the second nine was ever seared by my iron.

careernounUS /kərˈɪr/

the particular occupation for which you are trained

From this reading This book marks an epoch in my literary career.

deeplyadverbUS /ˈdiːpli/

to a great depth psychologically or emotionally

From this reading It is the outpouring of a soul as deeply seared by Fate's unkindness as the fairway on the dog-leg hole of the second nine was ever seared by my iron.

desperateadjectiveUS /ˈdesprɪt/

arising from or marked by despair or loss of hope

From this reading It is the work of a very nearly desperate man, an eighteen-handicap man who has got to look extremely slippy if he doesn't want to find himself in the twenties again.

doesn't

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It is the work of a very nearly desperate man, an eighteen-handicap man who has got to look extremely slippy if he doesn't want to find himself in the twenties again.

dog-leg

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It is the outpouring of a soul as deeply seared by Fate's unkindness as the fairway on the dog-leg hole of the second nine was ever seared by my iron.

eighteen-handicap

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It is the work of a very nearly desperate man, an eighteen-handicap man who has got to look extremely slippy if he doesn't want to find himself in the twenties again.

epochnounUS /ˈepək/

a period marked by distinctive character or reckoned from a fixed point or event

From this reading This book marks an epoch in my literary career.

everadverbUS /ˈevər/

at any time

From this reading It is the outpouring of a soul as deeply seared by Fate's unkindness as the fairway on the dog-leg hole of the second nine was ever seared by my iron.

extremelyadverbUS /ekˈstriːmli/

to a high degree or extent; favorably or with much respect

From this reading It is the work of a very nearly desperate man, an eighteen-handicap man who has got to look extremely slippy if he doesn't want to find himself in the twenties again.

fairwaynounUS /ˈferweɪ/

the area between the tee and putting green where the grass is cut short

From this reading It is the outpouring of a soul as deeply seared by Fate's unkindness as the fairway on the dog-leg hole of the second nine was ever seared by my iron.

Fate's

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It is the outpouring of a soul as deeply seared by Fate's unkindness as the fairway on the dog-leg hole of the second nine was ever seared by my iron.

findverbUS /faɪnd/

come upon, as if by accident; meet with

From this reading It is the work of a very nearly desperate man, an eighteen-handicap man who has got to look extremely slippy if he doesn't want to find himself in the twenties again.

FOREnounUS /fɔːr/

front part of a vessel or aircraft

From this reading FORE!

gotverbUS /ɡɑːt/

inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading It is the work of a very nearly desperate man, an eighteen-handicap man who has got to look extremely slippy if he doesn't want to find himself in the twenties again.

hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading It is the work of a very nearly desperate man, an eighteen-handicap man who has got to look extremely slippy if he doesn't want to find himself in the twenties again.

hepronounUS /hiː/

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading It is the work of a very nearly desperate man, an eighteen-handicap man who has got to look extremely slippy if he doesn't want to find himself in the twenties again.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading It is the work of a very nearly desperate man, an eighteen-handicap man who has got to look extremely slippy if he doesn't want to find himself in the twenties again.

holenounUS /hoʊl/

an opening into or through something

From this reading It is the outpouring of a soul as deeply seared by Fate's unkindness as the fairway on the dog-leg hole of the second nine was ever seared by my iron.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading It is the work of a very nearly desperate man, an eighteen-handicap man who has got to look extremely slippy if he doesn't want to find himself in the twenties again.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading This book marks an epoch in my literary career.

ironnounUS /ˈaɪərn/

a heavy ductile magnetic metallic element; is silver-white in pure form but readily rusts; used in construction and tools and armament; plays a role in the transport of oxygen by the blood

From this reading It is the outpouring of a soul as deeply seared by Fate's unkindness as the fairway on the dog-leg hole of the second nine was ever seared by my iron.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading It is written in blood.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It is written in blood.

literaryadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəreri/

of or relating to or characteristic of literature

From this reading This book marks an epoch in my literary career.

lookverbUS /lʊk/

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading It is the work of a very nearly desperate man, an eighteen-handicap man who has got to look extremely slippy if he doesn't want to find himself in the twenties again.

mannounUS /mæn/

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading It is the work of a very nearly desperate man, an eighteen-handicap man who has got to look extremely slippy if he doesn't want to find himself in the twenties again.

marksnounUS /mɑːrks/

English businessman who created a retail chain (1888-1964)

From this reading This book marks an epoch in my literary career.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading This book marks an epoch in my literary career.

nearlyadverbUS /ˈnɪrli/

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading It is the work of a very nearly desperate man, an eighteen-handicap man who has got to look extremely slippy if he doesn't want to find himself in the twenties again.

ninenounUS /naɪn/

the cardinal number that is the sum of eight and one

From this reading It is the outpouring of a soul as deeply seared by Fate's unkindness as the fairway on the dog-leg hole of the second nine was ever seared by my iron.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It is the outpouring of a soul as deeply seared by Fate's unkindness as the fairway on the dog-leg hole of the second nine was ever seared by my iron.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading It is the outpouring of a soul as deeply seared by Fate's unkindness as the fairway on the dog-leg hole of the second nine was ever seared by my iron.

outpouringnounUS /ˌaʊtˈpɔːrɪŋ/

a natural flow of ground water

From this reading It is the outpouring of a soul as deeply seared by Fate's unkindness as the fairway on the dog-leg hole of the second nine was ever seared by my iron.

searedadjectiveUS /sɪrd/

having the surface burned quickly with intense heat

From this reading It is the outpouring of a soul as deeply seared by Fate's unkindness as the fairway on the dog-leg hole of the second nine was ever seared by my iron.

secondnounUS /ˈsekənd/

1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites

From this reading It is the outpouring of a soul as deeply seared by Fate's unkindness as the fairway on the dog-leg hole of the second nine was ever seared by my iron.

slippyadjective

causing or tending to cause things to slip or slide

From this reading It is the work of a very nearly desperate man, an eighteen-handicap man who has got to look extremely slippy if he doesn't want to find himself in the twenties again.

soulnounUS /soʊl/

the immaterial part of a person; the actuating cause of an individual life

From this reading It is the outpouring of a soul as deeply seared by Fate's unkindness as the fairway on the dog-leg hole of the second nine was ever seared by my iron.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading It is the outpouring of a soul as deeply seared by Fate's unkindness as the fairway on the dog-leg hole of the second nine was ever seared by my iron.

ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading This book marks an epoch in my literary career.

toparticleUS /tuː/

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading It is the work of a very nearly desperate man, an eighteen-handicap man who has got to look extremely slippy if he doesn't want to find himself in the twenties again.

twentiesnounUS /ˈtwentiz/

the time of life between 20 and 30

From this reading It is the work of a very nearly desperate man, an eighteen-handicap man who has got to look extremely slippy if he doesn't want to find himself in the twenties again.

unkindnessnoun

lack of sympathy

From this reading It is the outpouring of a soul as deeply seared by Fate's unkindness as the fairway on the dog-leg hole of the second nine was ever seared by my iron.

veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/

precisely as stated

From this reading It is the work of a very nearly desperate man, an eighteen-handicap man who has got to look extremely slippy if he doesn't want to find himself in the twenties again.

wantverbUS /wɑːnt/

feel or have a desire for; want strongly

From this reading It is the work of a very nearly desperate man, an eighteen-handicap man who has got to look extremely slippy if he doesn't want to find himself in the twenties again.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading It is the outpouring of a soul as deeply seared by Fate's unkindness as the fairway on the dog-leg hole of the second nine was ever seared by my iron.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading It is the work of a very nearly desperate man, an eighteen-handicap man who has got to look extremely slippy if he doesn't want to find himself in the twenties again.

workverbUS /wɜːrk/

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading It is the work of a very nearly desperate man, an eighteen-handicap man who has got to look extremely slippy if he doesn't want to find himself in the twenties again.

writtenadjectiveUS /ˈrɪtən/

set down in writing in any of various ways

From this reading It is written in blood.

Chapter 1 of The Clicking of Cuthbert by P. G. (Pelham Grenville) Wodehouse holds 420 sentences, grouped into 84 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the source edition, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 1 of The Clicking of Cuthbert contain?

Chapter 1 holds 420 sentences of The Clicking of Cuthbert, unabridged, divided into 84 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of The Clicking of Cuthbert by P. G. (Pelham Grenville) Wodehouse exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 420 sentences, grouped into 84 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 1 of The Clicking of Cuthbert?

Work through the 84 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 84 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 1 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 1 can be played aloud in United States English.

Audio covers the whole chapter: any sentence can be played, and any single word within it can be played on its own. The voice uses United States English. For a work of this period that matters, because spelling is an unreliable guide to pronunciation for vocabulary that has fallen out of daily use, and a learner who guesses wrong tends to keep the error. Hearing the word in its own sentence, and then alone, settles it.

Questions about reading The Clicking of Cuthbert

Common questions about reading The Clicking of Cuthbert by P. G. (Pelham Grenville) Wodehouse on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Clicking of Cuthbert?

Yes. All 4602 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #7028 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Clicking of Cuthbert is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #7028, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Clicking of Cuthbert take to read?

About 383 minutes of reading across 921 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Clicking of Cuthbert section by section

How to work through The Clicking of Cuthbert section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 11 chapters of The Clicking of Cuthbert to begin.

  2. Read one section

    Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.

  3. Listen and tap

    Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.

Vocabulary met early in The Clicking of Cuthbert

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Clicking of Cuthbert, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Marks
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Clicking of Cuthbert; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Epoch
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Clicking of Cuthbert; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Literary
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Clicking of Cuthbert; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Career
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Clicking of Cuthbert; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.