Exquisite - early 15c., "carefully selected," from L. exquisitus "carefully sought out," thus, "choice," from pp. of exquirere "search out thoroughly," from ex- "out" (see ex-) + quaerere "to seek" (see query). Of any thing (good or bad, torture as well as art) brought to a highly wrought condition, sometimes shading into disapproval. A vogue word 15c.-18c., given wide extensions of meaning, none of which survive. The main modern sense of "of consummate and delightful excellence" is first attested 1579, in Lyly's "Euphues." Related: Exquisitely; exquisiteness. The noun meaning "a dandy, fop" is from 1819. (from the Online Etymology Dictionary, a useful source for language geeks)
First saw this book in a store while mindlessly browsing during the holidays. On a display of bookseller recommended holiday gifts. And I had also seen it in quite a few magazines but magazines that suggested the book might have a relationship with luxury and consumerism that was of limited interest to me. But I was still curious. So when a copy found its way to me recently via a friend who thought I might enjoy it but knew none of this background, I was confident in another one of my freaky beliefs that a book had found me.
So things of excellence that ask to be sought out. And not always about money. But beauty. And charm. And a strong desire to align oneself with something uniquely attractive whether that be blancmange or elephantine colossus or the extravagant 18th century hairstyle, the pouf, in which all manner of things could be hidden. What may initially sound frivolous is anything but in these encyclopedic entries filled with substantial historical framework and whimsical detail more Diderot than Wikipedia. This brought back all my childhood love of encyclopedias, and my Miss Rumphius belief that we are all capable of making the world a more beautiful place.
One of my favorite entries was "Far Niente" or sweet idleness. "The languorous sweetness of doing nothing at all - far niente in Italian - is one of life's greatest pleasures." A pursuit in which I occasionally excel. As Robert Louis Stevenson describes in "An Apology for Idlers," there is something suspect about those who never seem able to embrace the sweet joy of sloth.
"They have no curiosity; they can not give themselves over to random provocations; they do not take pleasure in the exercise of their faculties for its own sake; and unless Necessity lays about them with a stick, they will even stand still. It is no good speaking to such folk: they can not be idle, their nature is not generous enough; and they pass these hours in a sort of coma, which are not dedicated to furious moiling in the goldmill."
Encyclopedia of the Exquisite is a niche audience to-do, but if encyclopedic entries of the curious, stylish and beautiful appeal then you might enjoy this as much as I did. An unexpected reminder to continue to whittle down my possessions to the essential, the lovely, the meaningful.