Ifferisms
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Product Description
Culled from the author's extensive collection of witticisms and pithy sayings, this hoard of wisdom from writers, philosophers, politicians, actors, and others demonstrates the power of the question 'What if?' to alter the way we think about our world, using these possibilities to bolster an argument or drive home a point. With ifferisms on topics ranging from gender relations to the human condition itself, this informative gem is sure to have readers and linguaphiles dispensing ageless advice and intriguing anecdotes to family and friends. Some classic ifferisms include: If it ain't broke, don't fix it; If anything can go wrong, it will; If life hands you lemons, make lemonade; If you do what you've always done, you'll get what you've always gotten; and, If you can't beat 'em, join 'em. And, most importantly...'If a book is worth reading, it is worth buying' - John Ruskin.
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20 reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Mardy Does It Again
3 Sep 2009
Format:Hardcover
Well, Mardy Grothe, a lIFelong quotation collector, has done it again. No sooner had the Global Language Monitor announced that the English language has reached the one-million word mark, but the gIFted Dr. Mardy has coined a new word to get us started on the second million. SpecIFically, the word is IFferisms, the title of the fIFth volume of quotations he has compiled, but with a dIFference. Every one of the quotations he has selected for this book begins with the word IF.
BeautIFully dedicated to his wIFe, the book is divided into 18 chapters, covering virtually every aspect of lIFe and the world we live in. In his Introduction, Dr. Mardy writes: "I have come to believe that IF is the biggest little word in the English language." In the fIFteen hundred (or so) selections which follow, signIFicantly amplIFied in his always informative and entertaining style, he makes his point well.
IF you'll take my advice, you'll swIFtly order your copy of IFferisms, and perhaps several more for family and friends. You'll find it a gratIFying read, one that's sure to give your spirits a lIFt!
BeautIFully dedicated to his wIFe, the book is divided into 18 chapters, covering virtually every aspect of lIFe and the world we live in. In his Introduction, Dr. Mardy writes: "I have come to believe that IF is the biggest little word in the English language." In the fIFteen hundred (or so) selections which follow, signIFicantly amplIFied in his always informative and entertaining style, he makes his point well.
IF you'll take my advice, you'll swIFtly order your copy of IFferisms, and perhaps several more for family and friends. You'll find it a gratIFying read, one that's sure to give your spirits a lIFt!
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Proving the power of "if"
18 Dec 2009
Format:Hardcover
It's only two letters. So you might not think the word "if" would pack a punch. But Rudyard Kipling made a classic poem out of "If." That's the whole title of the poem -- just "If."
Now Mardy Grothe goes Kipling one better. Mardy Grothe makes a book out of the word.
Maybe the power of "if" should not be a surprise. Winston Churchill thought that short words are best, and short, old words best of all. "If" could not be much shorter. Nor older. As a short, old word, "if" has power.
Other two-letter power-packing words are out there too. Like "is." Remember how important "is" turned out to be? An issue of national import once depended on what the definition of "is" is. A president said so. A president of the United States. Can't get much more important than that.
So if "if" intrigues you, pick up "Ifferisms." Mardy Grothe has put together a book-full (a full 336 pages, believe it or not) of sayings that all begin with the word "if."
If you are not familiar with him (he is a he, by the way), Dr. Mardy Grothe is a psychologist, management consultant, and public speaker. He wrote four previous word-and-language books:
-- I Never Metaphor I Didn't Like
-- Viva la Repartee
-- Oxymoronica
-- Never Let a Fool Kiss You or a Kiss Fool You.
And Mardy Grothe has a weekly newsletter of sayings that might liven up your Saturday nights. It does mine. I look for it every week. (Of course, it doesn't take much to liven up my Saturday nights. If yours are more lively, you can save the newsletter for Sunday. It keeps.)
But back to the book. Reading Ifferisms gave me a new respect for the word "if." No longer will I discount the power of just two letters. Old, short words are good. I like "if."
But I hear Mardy Grothe is working on a new book. This book too will have quotations that all begin with the same word. So, could it be that this new word will be better than "if"?
I doubt it. Could any word be shorter than "if"? I don't think so. Older than "if"? No, not older either. So there seems little chance that this next book will be better than Ifferisms. Little chance at all.
Still, never say never.
Now Mardy Grothe goes Kipling one better. Mardy Grothe makes a book out of the word.
Maybe the power of "if" should not be a surprise. Winston Churchill thought that short words are best, and short, old words best of all. "If" could not be much shorter. Nor older. As a short, old word, "if" has power.
Other two-letter power-packing words are out there too. Like "is." Remember how important "is" turned out to be? An issue of national import once depended on what the definition of "is" is. A president said so. A president of the United States. Can't get much more important than that.
So if "if" intrigues you, pick up "Ifferisms." Mardy Grothe has put together a book-full (a full 336 pages, believe it or not) of sayings that all begin with the word "if."
If you are not familiar with him (he is a he, by the way), Dr. Mardy Grothe is a psychologist, management consultant, and public speaker. He wrote four previous word-and-language books:
-- I Never Metaphor I Didn't Like
-- Viva la Repartee
-- Oxymoronica
-- Never Let a Fool Kiss You or a Kiss Fool You.
And Mardy Grothe has a weekly newsletter of sayings that might liven up your Saturday nights. It does mine. I look for it every week. (Of course, it doesn't take much to liven up my Saturday nights. If yours are more lively, you can save the newsletter for Sunday. It keeps.)
But back to the book. Reading Ifferisms gave me a new respect for the word "if." No longer will I discount the power of just two letters. Old, short words are good. I like "if."
But I hear Mardy Grothe is working on a new book. This book too will have quotations that all begin with the same word. So, could it be that this new word will be better than "if"?
I doubt it. Could any word be shorter than "if"? I don't think so. Older than "if"? No, not older either. So there seems little chance that this next book will be better than Ifferisms. Little chance at all.
Still, never say never.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Semper If
21 Sep 2009
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is a collection of aphorisms (ifferisms) all beginning with that important little word "if." Now "if" can be a rather timid word - "if you wouldn't mind" - but not in this book. Each entry in this delightful book is upfront and has a definite opinion.
The contents range from humorous to thought provoking with a generous sampling of advice, insults, observations, and wit all taken from the author's amazing personal collection of quotes. I was first introduced to Dr. Grothe's writings on chiasmus and have since enjoyed his books on metaphors, repartee, and oxymorons. I have found that the more one knows about these kinds of word play, the more one enjoys playing kindly with words.
This is not an "iffy" book at all and I am pleased to recommend it to all lovers of the English language.
The contents range from humorous to thought provoking with a generous sampling of advice, insults, observations, and wit all taken from the author's amazing personal collection of quotes. I was first introduced to Dr. Grothe's writings on chiasmus and have since enjoyed his books on metaphors, repartee, and oxymorons. I have found that the more one knows about these kinds of word play, the more one enjoys playing kindly with words.
This is not an "iffy" book at all and I am pleased to recommend it to all lovers of the English language.
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