Dick King-Smith's vocabulary in The Hodgeheg is simple and accessible, ideal for Years 2–4. The joy of the vocabulary comes from Max's muddled words — which are both funny and memorable.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| hodgeheg | Max's muddled version of 'hedgehog'. Has become a term of affection for the character — and for muddled speakers everywhere. |
| persistent | Continuing firmly in spite of difficulty. Max is remarkably persistent despite being hurt. |
| nocturnal | Active at night. Hedgehogs are nocturnal animals — which is exactly why roads are so dangerous for them. |
| hibernate | To spend the winter in a dormant state. Hedgehogs hibernate in winter, which is mentioned in the story. |
| predator | An animal that hunts other animals for food. Cars are effectively predators that hedgehogs cannot outrun. |
| observation | The careful watching and noticing of something. Max solves the road problem through careful observation. |
| muddled | Confused, mixed up. Max's speech becomes muddled after being hit on the head. |
| determined | Having a firm decision and not giving up. Max is perhaps the most determined character in all of children's literature. |
Part of the fun of the book is working out what Max means. Here are some examples:
| What Max Says | What He Means |
|---|---|
| hodgeheg | hedgehog |
| wugs and slorms | slugs and worms |
| crosswing | crossing |
| pork | park |
Pupils can invent their own muddled words in the style of Max — swap the first letters or syllables of words to create new ones.