Interesting Stories About Curious Words

From buttock-mail to eucatastrophe: explore the vagaries, joys and forgotten by-ways of the English language with acclaimed lexicographer and etymologist Susie Dent (b.1964). Discover the origins and uses of hundreds of words and phrases. Themed chapters weave together fact-filled entries exploring origins, usage history, derivations, and more on everything from greetings, animals and vegetables; to orphaned negatives, insults, and terms for things you didn’t know had a name. A delightful foray into favourite sayings, familiar and unfamiliar words. Easy to read cover-to-cover or simply dip into: lovers of language will find this a must-read.

Paperback
19.5 x 13cm
413 pages
With 53 black-and-white illustrations
Sustainably sourced paper