- Paperback: 336 pages
- Publisher: John Blake Publishing Ltd (3 Sep 2007)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 1844544613
- ISBN-13: 978-1844544615
- Product Dimensions: 18.6 x 11.4 x 3 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 81,796 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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More About the Author
Product Description
Product Description
Have you ever wondered what phrases such as 'square meal', 'load of old codswallop', 'egg on your face' or 'in the limelight' mean? Where do they come from? Have you ever taken a moment to wonder what we say actually means? The origins of hundreds of common phrases are explained in this irreverent journey through the most fascinating and richest regions of the English language. In a book that takes you all over the world, from nautical origins to food and drink terms, once you have learnt one phrase, you will be eager to learn them all! From the drop of a hat to the bitter end - you'll be surprised and intrigued and you'll never speak English in the same way again.
About the Author
Albert Jack is a writer and researcher in pop culture whose favourite phrase is 'doolally'. He is 39 years old and has two children.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is an easy book to dip in and out of. It explains the sources of many common expressions. Some of the explanations are based on folk stories or myths; some are based on fact. I note that other reviewers challenge the accuracy of the book. As a casual reader I find it fine and am intrigued to learn for instance that 'Bob's your Uncle' comes from the promotion in 1886 of someone whose uncle was the Prime Minister, Robert Gascoyne-Cecil. It is packed with such trivia.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book was given by me as a gift - recipient proceeded to read out sections which we all found interesting and witty. Excellent gift idea!
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Informative, interesting and accessible. It goes into just the right amount of detail for anyone wanting to improve their English or just their knowledge
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
who really cares?
It is no QI book. The excerpts are too long to be entertaining and it just doesn't capture my interest. Another one that simply props up the spare toilet roll
Published 2 months ago by hazza
red herrings @white elephants
I have tried to obtain a book which would give me information on the many Idioms used in everyday English language. I did not have any success. Read more
Published 14 months ago by June Mawson
Good, informative read.
Red Herrings and White Elephants
Bought this book for my mother-in-law she often refers to quotes and sayings and wonders where they originate. Read more
Bought this book for my mother-in-law she often refers to quotes and sayings and wonders where they originate. Read more
Published 14 months ago by sambooty
A real find
Thoroughly enjoying this book: good to dip in and out of and raising a smile in the dullest of winter days. AND no too braintesting! Read more
Published 16 months ago by Cariad Bach
Excellent
My mum has been after a book that explains where sayings come from for ages, and finally found one in this book. Read more
Published 16 months ago by S. Renshaw
Pink Elephants
What a great find - hours of fun searching through the annecdotes and using as discussion points during after dinner drinks. Some wonderfully obscure connections here. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Rugged
How curious about words are you?
I was given this book to use by a friend to create some posters for our etymology group. It was so useful and helped me to create more quickly the written text for the picture... Read more
Published 19 months ago by godiva1945
Great fun
This is a great coffee-table book! You wouldn't really read it as such, but we find ourselves dipping in and out of it when we hear a saying that we want to find out more about. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Elfie
Lovely, quirky
This is a well written and fun read. I have even given it as gifts to friends whos second language is English, to learn all our little phrases. Read more
Published on 1 Mar 2010 by Daniella How
Red Herrings and White Elephants.
This book is excellent for those who want to know the meanings of traditional/popular phrases. I know a lot of the phrases and their basic meanings but didn't know the origins.
Published on 15 Dec 2009 by Mr. David Goodacre
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