Curious English Words and Phrases
The Truth Behind the Expressions We Use
2nd Edition
Published on 1. October 2018
Book
Paperback/Softback
432 pages
978-1-925335-87-3 (ISBN)
Description
For anyone who has ever puzzled over why we say 'spill the beans', 'spitting image', and a plethora of other weird and wonderful phrases! Find the truth behind the expressions we use.
Have you ever wondered where terms like 'end of your tether', 'gets my goat' or 'letting one's hair down' come from? Or why we call some people 'geezers', 'sugar daddies' or 'lounge lizards'? These are just a few of the many words and phrases that language expert Max Cryer examines in this fact-filled and fun new book.
In this etymological tour of English's oddest expressions, Max Cryer sheds light on their origins and uses through time. Along the way he tells a host of colourful anecdotes and dispels quite a few myths - Did Churchill originate the phrase 'black dog'? And if 'ivory tower' can be found in the Bible, why has its meaning changed so drastically?
Bulging with information, Curious English Words and Phrases is a treasure trove for lovers of language. Informative, amusing and value for money, this book is 'the real McCoy'. From 'couch potato' to 'Bob's your uncle', you'll find the explanation here!
Have you ever wondered where terms like 'end of your tether', 'gets my goat' or 'letting one's hair down' come from? Or why we call some people 'geezers', 'sugar daddies' or 'lounge lizards'? These are just a few of the many words and phrases that language expert Max Cryer examines in this fact-filled and fun new book.
In this etymological tour of English's oddest expressions, Max Cryer sheds light on their origins and uses through time. Along the way he tells a host of colourful anecdotes and dispels quite a few myths - Did Churchill originate the phrase 'black dog'? And if 'ivory tower' can be found in the Bible, why has its meaning changed so drastically?
Bulging with information, Curious English Words and Phrases is a treasure trove for lovers of language. Informative, amusing and value for money, this book is 'the real McCoy'. From 'couch potato' to 'Bob's your uncle', you'll find the explanation here!
More details
Edition
Second Edition
Language
English
Place of publication
Auckland
New Zealand
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Dimensions
Height: 208 mm
Width: 135 mm
Thickness: 28 mm
Weight
499 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-925335-87-3 (9781925335873)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Max Cryer is a seasoned researcher and writer on aspects of the English language. A well-known broadcaster and entertainer, he hosts a weekly radio slot on the subject. He has had a long and varied career, in which he has been a schoolteacher, a compere and TV host, as well as a singer in London, Las Vegas and Hollywood. Throughout it all his love of language has remained prevalent, and he is now a full-time writer based in New Zealand.
Content
It is possible (if admittedly fanciful) to envisage the English language as being like a vast and ancient city - magnificent and full of interest, but at the same time shambolic. It has been subject to suburban sprawl, has constantly added new edifices, upgraded heritage precincts in some quarters, demolished them in others, and has complex roading systems freely negotiable only by those who have long lived in that area.
And the 'city' has wrenched benefits from other civilisations by shamelessly raping, pillaging and outright thieving from them -
words, images, expressions and proverbs. No other language has been safe from the grasp of this great conurbation known as English: Sanskrit, Hindustani, Arabic, Turkish, Russian, Japanese can be found in its small winding alleys besides, on the main streets, the more expected Latin, Dutch, German, French, Spanish, Swedish and Russian ('more expected' because Britain is only 35 kilometres from the Continent at the closest point).
And the 'city' has wrenched benefits from other civilisations by shamelessly raping, pillaging and outright thieving from them -
words, images, expressions and proverbs. No other language has been safe from the grasp of this great conurbation known as English: Sanskrit, Hindustani, Arabic, Turkish, Russian, Japanese can be found in its small winding alleys besides, on the main streets, the more expected Latin, Dutch, German, French, Spanish, Swedish and Russian ('more expected' because Britain is only 35 kilometres from the Continent at the closest point).