Why is Q Always Followed by U?
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Review
'He tracks down a phrase and pins it down with a wit as sharp as a tack' Metro 'Like being drawn into a great detective story, full of red herrings and bogus alibis' Mail on Sunday 'A marvellous and original book, erudition without tears' Spectator
Product Description
Long-time word-detective and bestselling author of Port Out, Starboard Home, Michael Quinion brings us the answers to nearly two hundred of the most intriguing questions he’s been asked about language over the years. Sent to him by enquiring readers from all around the globe, Michael’s answers about the meanings and histories behind the quirky phrases, slang and language that we all use are set to delight, amuse and enlighten even the most hardened word-obsessive. Did you know that ‘Blighty’ comes from an ancient Arabic word? Or that Liberace cried his way to the bank so many times people think he came up with the phrase? That ‘cloud nine’ started out as ‘cloud seven’ in the speakeasies of ’30s America? And that the first person to have their thunder stolen was a dismal playwright from Drury Lane? Michael Quinion’s Why is Q Always Followed By U? is full of surprising discoveries, entertaining quotations and memorable information. There are plenty of colourful stories out there, but Michael Quinion will help you discover the truth that lies behind the cock-and-bull stories and make sure you’re always linguistically on the ball.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I've bought several of Michael Quinion's books and subscribe to his weekly newsletter. I wasn't surprised, therefore, to find I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It explains what (for example) "bulls and bears" on the stoke exchange, and "fair cop" in the movies means, rather than a guide to spelling.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
A quick and fun read. I laughed aloud at a number of points - and actually learned a bit about some words and phrases along the way. Entertaining and recommended.
Downside: a number of queries about meanings or origins had a response that devolved to the equivalent of, "Don't know."
Re: Amazon.uk. Ordering, shipping and receipt were easy and quick. It also seems Amazon maintains a global sign-on that helps.
Downside: a number of queries about meanings or origins had a response that devolved to the equivalent of, "Don't know."
Re: Amazon.uk. Ordering, shipping and receipt were easy and quick. It also seems Amazon maintains a global sign-on that helps.
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Anyone interested in our language and where our words and usage come from should read Michael Quinion. He is entertaining and impressively thorough, and not only does he write books he has a fascinating website "World Wide Words" and even a free e-newsletter.
This book is a collection of some of the queries that have been sent in to him for that newsletter. For most of us it isn't something to sit and read through start-to-finish, rather something to dip into for a few minutes at a time - but those minutes will be well spent. You'll learn a lot, and enjoy yourself at the same time.
This book is a collection of some of the queries that have been sent in to him for that newsletter. For most of us it isn't something to sit and read through start-to-finish, rather something to dip into for a few minutes at a time - but those minutes will be well spent. You'll learn a lot, and enjoy yourself at the same time.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Non-answers to questions
In this book, as in the author's previous book, Port Out, Starboard Home the answer to many (most?) of the questions is "I don't know. Read more
Published on 20 Aug 2009 by Lewis Jones
Bought as a present but kept it myself
Reading this book will make anyone feel like a 'know it all'. V interesting and well written. Highly enjoyable!
Published on 6 July 2009 by paula h
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