Lost for Words: The Mangling and Manipulating of the English Language [Paperback]

'Humphrys is passionate about language - and very funny too' -- Rod Liddle 20040901 'Greatly enjoyable' -- Simon Hoggart, Guardian 20040901 'for all those who care about the English language' -- Ann Widdecombe, New Statesman 20040901 'It is always exhilarating to read a book which says what so many of us think' -- Jonathan Keates, Spectator 20040901 'Timely and lively' -- Sunday Telegraph 20040901 'Let us be very clear about this from the start: John Humphrys is a Good Thing' -- Evening Standard 20040901 'the Jack Russell of the Today programme has now chosen to take some well aimed snaps at solecism, jargon, cliche and weasel words... It is always exhilarating to read a book which says what so many of us think' -- Spectator 20040901 'I commend Citizen Humphrys' -- Daily Mail 20040901 'You will have fun with this book' -- Guardian 20041204 'an exquisite sensitivity to the misuse of the English language' -- The Sunday Times 20041101

'Humphrys is passionate about language - and very funny too' (Rod Liddle )

'Greatly enjoyable' (Simon Hoggart, Guardian )

'for all those who care about the English language' (Ann Widdecombe, New Statesman )

'It is always exhilarating to read a book which says what so many of us think' (Jonathan Keates, Spectator )

'Timely and lively' (Sunday Telegraph )

'Let us be very clear about this from the start: John Humphrys is a Good Thing' (Evening Standard )

'the Jack Russell of the Today programme has now chosen to take some well aimed snaps at solecism, jargon, cliche and weasel words... It is always exhilarating to read a book which says what so many of us think' (Spectator )

'I commend Citizen Humphrys' (Daily Mail )

'You will have fun with this book' (Guardian )

'an exquisite sensitivity to the misuse of the English language' (The Sunday Times )

From empty cliche to meaningless jargon, dangling participle to sentences without verbs, the English language is reeling. It is under attack from all sides. Politicians dupe us with deliberately evasive language. Bosses worry about impacting the bottom line while they think out of the box. Academics talk obscure mumbo jumbo. Journalists and broadcasters, who should know better, lazily collaborate.



John Humphrys wittily and powerfully exposes the depths to which our beautiful language has sunk and offers many examples of the most common atrocities. He also dispenses some sensible guidance on how to use simple, clear and honest language. Above all, he shows us how to be on the alert for the widespread abuse - especially by politicians - and the power of the English language. (20040901)

In a journalistic career spanning forty-five years John Humphrys has reported from all over the world for the BBC and presented its frontline news programmes on both radio and television. He has won a string of national awards and been described as a 'national treasure' - all of which he attributes to longevity and luck. He presents Radio 4's Today programme and BBC2's Mastermind. (20040901)