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Why is Q Always Followed by U?: Word-Perfect Answers to the Most-Asked Questions About Language
 
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Why is Q Always Followed by U?: Word-Perfect Answers to the Most-Asked Questions About Language (Hardcover)

by Michael Quinion (Author)
3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
RRP: £12.99
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Why is Q Always Followed by U?: Word-Perfect Answers to the Most-Asked Questions About Language + Gallimaufry: A hodgepodge of our vanishing vocabulary + Port Out, Starboard Home
Price For All Three: £19.81

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Product details

  • Hardcover: 304 pages
  • Publisher: Particular Books (2 Jul 2009)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 1846141842
  • ISBN-13: 978-1846141843
  • Product Dimensions: 19.6 x 13.8 x 3.6 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 59,216 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Product Description

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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Customer Reviews

4 Reviews
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Average Customer Review
3.8 out of 5 stars (4 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars For lovers of words, 9 Oct 2009
By Iain S. Palin (Northern Ireland) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   
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.
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3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars Non-answers to questions, 20 Aug 2009
By Lewis Jones (London, UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
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." I found it irritating to continually read about hypotheses that turned out to be wrong, only to come up with a blank in the end. I don't buy linguistic works to plough through people's guesswork. Either say outright "Nobody knows," and leave it at that, or (better) don't include the item in the book at all. I know there are those who think that faulty legends and false etymologies are "interesting." In fact, they display a lack of critical thought, and a misunderstanding of the necessity for evidence.
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3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Bought as a present but kept it myself, 6 Jul 2009
By paula h (london, uk) - See all my reviews
Reading this book will make anyone feel like a 'know it all'. V interesting and well written. Highly enjoyable!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Good read
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. Read more
Published 1 month ago by James Renals

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