The World in a Phrase
The World in a Phrase

Author: James Geary

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing USA

Published: 2011-02-01

Total Pages: 242

ISBN-13: 160819762X

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Starting with the ancient Chinese and ending with contemporary Europeans and Americans, The World in a Phrase tells the story of the aphorism through spirited and amusing biographies of some of its greatest practitioners, including Emily Dickinson, and Mark Twain and Dorothy Parker; great French aphorists like Montaigne, La Rochefoucauld, and Chamfort; philosophers like Schopenhauer, Nietzsche, and Wittgenstein; as well as prophets and sages like the Buddha, Lao Tzu, and Jesus. In our modern age, The World in a Phrase explores how aphorisms still retain the power to instigate and inspire, enlighten and enrage, entertain and edify. James Geary is the author of The Body Electric: An Anatomy of the New Bionic Senses. He lives in London with his wife and three children. "James Geary's celebration of the smallest-and sometimes wisest-of literary forms. Geary defines the characteristics of aphorisms and discusses their history and their role in his life, and shares the work of renowned aphorists from Buddha to Dr. Seuss."-Associated Press

What a Wonderful Phrase
What a Wonderful Phrase

Author: Nicola Edwards

Publisher: Caterpillar Books

Published: 2021-08-05

Total Pages: 72

ISBN-13: 9781838913274

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Have you ever wondered why we talkabout 'buttering someone up' or wherethe phrase 'it's raining cats and dogs'actually comes from? What does it meanto 'comb the giraffe' in France or to 'weara cat on your head' in Japan?Also available This beautifully illustrated collection of curious phrases from around the world is a voyage of cultural discovery.

Empires of the Word
Empires of the Word

Author: Nicholas Ostler

Publisher: Harper Collins

Published: 2011-03-22

Total Pages: 541

ISBN-13: 0062047353

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A “monumental” account of the rise and fall of languages, with “many fresh insights, useful historical anecdotes, and charming linguistic oddities” (Chicago Tribune). Nicholas Ostler's Empires of the Word is the first history of the world’s great tongues, gloriously celebrating the wonder of words that bind communities together and make possible both the living of a common history and the telling of it. From the uncanny resilience of Chinese through twenty centuries of invasions to the engaging self-regard of Greek to the struggles that gave birth to the languages of modern Europe, these epic achievements and more are brilliantly explored, as are the fascinating failures of once “universal” languages. A splendid, authoritative, and remarkable work, it demonstrates how the language history of the world eloquently reveals the real character of our planet’s diverse peoples and prepares us for a linguistic future full of surprises. “Readers learn how languages ancient and modern spread and how they dwindle. . . . Few books bring more intellectual excitement to the study of language.” —Booklist (starred review) “Sparkles with arcane knowledge, shrewd perceptions, and fresh ideas…The sheer sweep of his analysis is breathtaking.” —Times Literary Supplement “Ambitious and accessible . . . Ostler stresses the role of culture, commerce and conquest in the rise and fall of languages, whether Spanish, Portuguese and French in the Americas or Dutch in Asia and Africa.” —Publishers Weekly “A marvelous book.” —National Review

Just A Phrase I'm Going Through
Just A Phrase I'm Going Through

Author: David Crystal

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2009-06-02

Total Pages: 317

ISBN-13: 1134011865

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A cross between an autobiography and an introductory to linguistics which will serve multiple purposes and appeal to both students and the general reader alike. Crystal's engaging writing style makes this both entertaining and informative, a valuable combination Answers the all important question 'What is linguistics?' and 'What do linguistics do?' through the personal story of this hugely successul and popular linguist. Includes an 8-page colour plate section with over 60 photos.

The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable
The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable

Author: Elizabeth Knowles

Publisher: OUP Oxford

Published: 2006-10-12

Total Pages: 816

ISBN-13: 0191578568

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This Dictionary is part of the Oxford Reference Collection: using sustainable print-on-demand technology to make the acclaimed backlist of the Oxford Reference programme perennially available in hardback format. What is a ham-and-egger? What are Anglo-Saxon attitudes? Who or what is liable to jump the shark? Who first tried to nail jelly to the wall? The answers to these and many more questions are in this fascinating book. Here in one volume you can track down the stories behind the names and sayings you meet, whether in classic literature or today's news. Drawing on Oxford's unrivalled bank of reference and language online resources, this dictionary covers classical and other mythologies, history, religion, folk customs, superstitions, science and technology, philosophy, and popular culture. Extensive cross referencing makes it easy to trace specific information, while every page points to further paths to explore. A fascinating slice of cultural history, and a browser's delight from start to finish. What is the fog of war? Who first wanted to spend more time with one's family? When was the Dreamtime? How long since the first cry of Women and children first? Where might you find dark matter? Would you want the Midas touch? Should you worry about grey goo?

The Leader Phrase Book
The Leader Phrase Book

Author: Patrick Alain

Publisher: Red Wheel/Weiser

Published: 2011-11-22

Total Pages: 200

ISBN-13: 1601636261

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Easily find the right words to respond like a leader in any situation, communicate effectively, and make your way to success. The Leader Phrase Book contains more than 3,000 dynamic phrases that will enable you to prevail in virtually all of life’s important situations. You will be in command of your words and always stay ahead of the game. With this passport to success, you will begin a new journey on which you are among the charismatic, the untouchable . . . the elite. This easy-to-use reference book will give you a new image you can take pride in helping you to quickly reach your full leadership potential. You will have all the weapons to effectively succeed whenever vibrant, forceful language is required. It works like magic! The Leader Phrase Book will teach you how to: • Speak like a leader • Master all conversations • Attain a charismatic presence • Gain the respect of others • Achieve a lightning-fast rhetoric • Find the right phrases instantly • Argue effectively • Be the envy of all you meet The Leader Phrase Book is the culmination of ten years of Patrick’s personal research on how leaders communicate. It is the summation of his efforts to share one of the most invaluable skills in life: “how to put yourself in command.” Praise for The Leader Phrase Book “This refreshing and practical tool will help to enlarge, promote, and articulate the world of communication.” —Cristina Roggero, Pepperdine University professor of literature “An indispensable tool to help you become quickly fluent in phrases that put you ahead in the marketplace.” —Tony Azar, Homeland Security Chief Engineer “A must read for anyone who wants to move ahead in business.” —Jami Levesque, technical director of 300 and Transformers 3

The Manager's Phrase Book
The Manager's Phrase Book

Author: Patrick Alain

Publisher: Red Wheel/Weiser

Published: 2013-01-21

Total Pages: 192

ISBN-13: 1601635524

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The Manager’s Phrase Book is a collection of thousands of ready-to-use phrases that will enable you to move into the ranks of today’s most competent managers. You will have control of any situation at a moment’s notice, regardless of your position in the corporate world. You will have all the weapons you need to succeed where vibrant, meaningful, appropriate, and, perhaps above all, precise language is required. With this passport to success, you will begin a new game in which you are among the charismatic, the untouchable—the elite. The Manager’s Phrase Book is an amazingly fast paced, easy-to-use reference book that will help you to: Use the correct words at all times Conquer conflict Take on challenges and challengers Build bridges between people Address sticky situations Further your own career And so much more The Manager’s Phrase Book makes it easy for you to break out of the mundane world of management and to take on all comers. It is the latest compilation of Patrick Alain’s research on how managers really communicate in today’s world.