What in the Word?

What in the Word?

Author: Charles Harrington Elster

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Published: 2005

Total Pages: 308

ISBN-13: 9780156031974

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Presents a humorous look at the English language, including information on word and phrase origins, slang, style, usage, punctuation, and pronunciation.


Savoir Faire

Savoir Faire

Author: Laura Lee

Publisher: Wellfleet Press

Published: 2016-03

Total Pages: 243

ISBN-13: 1577151259

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Savoir Faire teaches 1,000 foreign phrases that have become commonplace in the English language. You'll learn origins of phrases, common words you didn't realize were foreign, correct pronunciation, and more.


The Annotated Phantom Tollbooth

The Annotated Phantom Tollbooth

Author: Norton Juster

Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers

Published: 2011-10-25

Total Pages: 323

ISBN-13: 037585715X

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With almost 5 million copies sold in the 60 years since it was published, generations of readers have journeyed with Milo to the Lands Beyond in this beloved classic.This richly annotated edition includes bonus material from acclaimed children's literature scholar Leonard Marcus. 'Enriched by Jules Feiffer’s splendid illustrations, the wit, wisdom, and wordplay of Norton Juster’s offbeat fantasy are as beguiling as ever. The expansive annotations include interviews with the author and illustrator, illuminating excerpts from Juster's notes and drafts, cultural and literary commentary, and Marcus's own insights on the book. The Annotated Phantom Tollbooth is the perfect way to honor a classic and will be welcomed by young readers and fans of all ages.


The Outlandish Companion (Revised and Updated)

The Outlandish Companion (Revised and Updated)

Author: Diana Gabaldon

Publisher: Delacorte Press

Published: 2015-03-31

Total Pages: 608

ISBN-13: 1101887281

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Perfect for readers of the bestselling Outlander novels—and don’t miss The Outlandish Companion Volume Two! #1 New York Times bestselling author Diana Gabaldon has captivated millions of readers with her critically acclaimed Outlander novels, the inspiration for the Starz original series. From the moment Claire Randall stepped through a standing stone circle and was thrown back in time to the year 1743—and into a world that threatens life, limb, loyalty, heart, soul, and everything else Claire has—readers have been hungry to know everything about this world and its inhabitants, particularly a Scottish soldier named Jamie Fraser. In this beautifully illustrated compendium of all things Outlandish, Gabaldon covers the first four novels of the main series, including: • full synopses of Outlander, Dragonfly in Amber, Voyager, and Drums of Autumn • a complete listing of the characters (fictional and historical) in the first four novels in the series, as well as family trees and genealogical notes • a comprehensive glossary and pronunciation guide to Gaelic terms and usage • The Gabaldon Theory of Time Travel, explained • frequently asked questions to the author and her (sometimes surprising) answers • an annotated bibliography • essays about medicine and magic in the eighteenth century, researching historical fiction, creating characters, and more • professionally cast horoscopes for Jamie and Claire • the making of the TV series: how we got there from here, and what happened next (including “My Brief Career as a TV Actor”) • behind-the-scenes photos from the Outlander TV series set For anyone who wants to spend more time with the Outlander characters and the world they inhabit, Diana Gabaldon here opens a door through the standing stones and offers a guided tour of what lies within.


In a Manner of Speaking

In a Manner of Speaking

Author: Colin McNairn

Publisher: Simon and Schuster

Published: 2015-04-28

Total Pages: 312

ISBN-13: 1632208989

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What do “the whole kit and caboodle,” “the whole shebang,” “the whole megillah,” “the whole enchilada,” “the whole nine yards,” “the whole box and dice,” and “the full Monty” have in common? They’re all expressions that mean “the entire quantity,” and they’re all examples of the breadth and depth of the English-speaking world’s vocabulary. From the multitude of words and phrases in daily use, the author of this delightful exploration into what we say and why we say it zeroes in on those expressions and sayings and their variations that are funny, quirky, just plain folksy, or playfully dressed up in rhyme or alliteration. Some may have become clichés that, as it’s said with “tongue in cheek,” should be “avoided like the plague.” Others have been distorted, deemed politically incorrect, or shrouded in mystery and must bear some explanation. Among the topics the author delves into are expressions that shouldn’t be taken literally (“dressed to kill” and “kick the bucket”), foreign expressions that crept into English (“carte blanche,” “carpe diem,” and “que sera, sera”), phrases borrowed from print ads and TV commercials (“where there’s life, there’s Bud” and “where the rubber meets the road”), animal images (“a barrel of monkeys” and “chasing your tail”), and food and drink (“cast your bread upon the water,” “chew the fat,” “bottom’s up!”, and “drink as a lord”). Here’s a book for everyone who delights in the mysteries of language and the perfect gift for all the “wordies” in your life.


Uncle John's Bathroom Reader: Extraordinary Book of Facts and Bizarre Information

Uncle John's Bathroom Reader: Extraordinary Book of Facts and Bizarre Information

Author: Bathroom Readers' Institute

Publisher: Simon and Schuster

Published: 2012-05-01

Total Pages: 546

ISBN-13: 1607106019

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From cannibals to conspiracy theories to the origin stories of candy, a compendium of thousands of fun facts to read behind closed doors! Our readers asked for it, and here it is: Uncle John’s first collection of his greatest short facts and quick reading material. Open up to any page of Extraordinary Book of Facts and you might find a list of, say, obscure words (“exocannibals” eat enemies; “indocannibals” eat friends). Flip to another page and there’s a whole bunch of facts about how long things take (a yak’s gestation period: 258 days). On another page: kid facts (the average four-year-old laughs 400 times per day; grownups, about fifteen). Get smarter and laugh a lot more with this amazing collection that features thousands of great facts, plus word origins, myth-conceptions, conspiracy theories, and much, much more. Arranged for simple and speedy reference, this book is the perfect companion for trivia buffs and knowledge junkies everywhere!


The Handbook of Historical Linguistics

The Handbook of Historical Linguistics

Author: Brian Joseph

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons

Published: 2008-04-15

Total Pages: 904

ISBN-13: 0470756330

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The Handbook of Historical Linguistics provides a detailed account of the numerous issues, methods, and results that characterize current work in historical linguistics, the area of linguistics most directly concerned with language change as well as past language states. Contains an extensive introduction that places the study of historical linguistics in its proper context within linguistics and the historical sciences in general Covers the methodology of historical linguistics and presents sophisticated overviews of the principles governing phonological, morphological, syntactic, and semantic change Includes contributions from the leading specialists in the field


Uncle John's All-Purpose Extra Strength Bathroom Reader

Uncle John's All-Purpose Extra Strength Bathroom Reader

Author: Bathroom Readers' Institute

Publisher: Simon and Schuster

Published: 2012-11-01

Total Pages: 456

ISBN-13: 1607106655

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Why is our lucky 13th edition All-Purpose? Uncle John himself explains: “You can read this Bathroom Reader anywhere—in the obvious spot, in bed or, heck, by the pool or at work.” Why Extra-Strength? “Because of the mountains of research gathered, you can guess where, by our crackpot…I mean hotshot…staff.” Yes, APES (as we affectionately call it at the BRI) is filled to the rim with more than 500 pages of amazing facts, quotes, history, myths, brain teasers, origins, celebrity gossip, and our powerful brand of “uncanny” humor. Here are 13 reasons to read this book: 1. Triskaidekaphobia, the fear of ten plus three 2. Military surplus: The story of carrot cake 3. The real-life inspiration behind Dracula 4. Going Ape: The history of Tarzan 5. People who married themselves 6. Politically incorrect toothpaste 7. Legendary business blunders 8. Hollywood’s biggest bombs 9. Wide world of weird sports 10. Dog food for thought 11. The birth of the CD 12. Dumb criminals 13. Zappa’s Law And much, much more!