- Hardcover: 208 pages
- Publisher: OUP Oxford (1 Sep 2005)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0192806114
- ISBN-13: 978-0192806116
- Product Dimensions: 22 x 14.8 x 2 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 762,552 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Review
"Addictive reading for verbivores and fine browsing material for everyone else."--Booklist
Product Description
English is incredibly rich in colourful phrases and expressions. But, why do we say 'mad as a hatter', 'know your onions', and 'put on the Ritz'? This entertaining book elucidates the question of why we say the things we say. Indeed, many of the expressions we use in daily conversation have interesting and unexpected origins. Well into the 19th century 'hatters' -- people employed making hats -- were literally sent mad by the mercury used in the production process, hence the Mad Hatter in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, and hence the phrase we still use today. From 'black sheep' to 'chancing your arm', The Real McCoy gives the fascinating stories behind hundreds of the most interesting idioms in English. Each phrase has been thoroughly researched to uncover its origins and the way it has been used in the past. The book is written in a friendly and approachable style, and includes additional information in ten double-page panels focusing on idioms linked by a common theme, such as phrases coined by Shakespeare, nautical phrases, or phrases with a Biblical origin. The book contains specially commissioned cartoons to illustrate the idioms, and, coupled with the fresh, contemporary design, they make this book a delight to browse. The Real McCoy is the perfect gift for everyone interested in the quirky side of the English language.
Inside This Book
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First Sentence
This informal expression has an interesting origin. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
This informal expression has an interesting origin. Read the first page
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Concordance
Browse Sample PagesConcordance
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
Format:Hardcover
Books such as this are frustrating. The phrases covered are easily identifiable by other means, including the internet, while they lack the depth required to make a meaningful contribution to knowledge or history. In some areas they differ from explanations provided elsewhere but, with so few specific references to the original, it's hard to test their integrity and coherence.
The author provides a thematic index which is more helpful than the A to Z layout of the book overall. There are also specific areas dealing with parts of the body, sport, animals, foreign countries and biblical expressions. There are some phrases which I had never come across before - and won't miss - while Tallulah Bankhead's "Pure As the Driven Slush" always raises a laugh.
Reading this volume evoked memories of comedian Rob Wilton and the line "What good are you?" The book barely gets away with a positive answer other than as an introductory volume in the acquisition of useless knowledge. Off the cuff, I'll chance my arm, bite the bullet, jump on the bandwagon and award it three for the benefit who want to keep ten year olds quiet at Christmas or on birthdays.
The author provides a thematic index which is more helpful than the A to Z layout of the book overall. There are also specific areas dealing with parts of the body, sport, animals, foreign countries and biblical expressions. There are some phrases which I had never come across before - and won't miss - while Tallulah Bankhead's "Pure As the Driven Slush" always raises a laugh.
Reading this volume evoked memories of comedian Rob Wilton and the line "What good are you?" The book barely gets away with a positive answer other than as an introductory volume in the acquisition of useless knowledge. Off the cuff, I'll chance my arm, bite the bullet, jump on the bandwagon and award it three for the benefit who want to keep ten year olds quiet at Christmas or on birthdays.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
2 reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
enlightening
4 Nov 2006
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Loved the book. Full of interesting info about your favorite phrases. A fun read.
0 of 1 people found the following review helpful
The Real McCoy
7 Jan 2008
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book was a disappointment because many of the sayings in it are not used anymore. I was hoping it would have more modern day sayings. The few ones that are there are good. This book would probably be more useful to the older generations (prior to baby boomers), as they have probably heard and/or used more of these sayings then newer generations have.
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