In "The Mother Tongue: English and How it Got That Way," Bill Bryson highlights the uniqueness of the English language, particularly in its extensive vocabulary. One notable aspect is the existence of synonym books, like Roget's Thesaurus, which serve to help speakers find alternative words and enrich their language. This feature is largely absent in other languages, as noted by linguist Charlton Laird.

Many speakers of different languages are often unaware of the existence of such synonym resources, indicating that English occupies a distinct position in terms of vocabulary complexity. This characteristic underscores the adaptability and richness of English, allowing for nuanced expression that is not as prevalent in many other languages.