Author: Max Cryer
Publisher: Exisle Publishing
ISBN: 1921966017
Category : Language Arts & Disciplines
Languages : en
Pages : 434
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Book Description
Have you ever wondered where terms like 'end of your tether', 'gets my goat' or 'letting ones hair down' come from? Or why we call some people 'geezers', 'sugar daddies' or 'lounge lizards'? Or where the words 'eavesdropping', 'nickname' and 'D-Day' come from? They are just a few of the many words and phrases that language expert Max Cryer examines in this fact-filled and fun new book. Max explains where these curious expressions come from, what they mean and how they are used. Along the way he tells a host of colourful anecdotes and dispels quite a few myths - Did Churchill originate the phrase 'black dog'? And if 'ivory tower' can be found in the Bible, why has its meaning changed so drastically? Curious English Words and Phrases is a treasure trove for lovers of language. Informative, amusing and value for money, this book is 'the real McCoy'. From 'couch potato' to 'Bob's your uncle', you'll find the explanation here!
Author: Max Cryer
Publisher: Exisle Publishing
ISBN: 1775590240
Category : Foreign Language Study
Languages : en
Pages : 194
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Book Description
The Godzone Dictionary is a concise A – Z of the words and phrases that make our New Zealand language and speech patterns so distinctive and individual, from Aotearoa and Avondale spiders to Zambuck and Zespri. Slang words and expressions feature heavily, while one of the unique features of this book is the large number of Maori words that have become part of our common language in recent years. The listing also includes the popular names of our sports teams (so often confused!) and an appendix of common New Zealand acronyms. From Rotovegas to the Naki, Pig Islanders everywhere – not to mention tourists – will find Godzone explained as never before. Never stuffy or academic, Max Cryer brings his expert knowledge and sly wit to a book that is sure to be a reference for many years to come. Sweet as!
Author: Dale D. Johnson
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 0429982607
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 256
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Book Description
Written by respected authorities in the fields of education and literacy studies, Words: The Foundation of Literacy is a groundbreaking book for teachers, administrators, and education students. Dale and Bonnie Johnson present a fresh, inspiring reminder of why studying language (from word origins to word structure) is such a vital first step in the development of students' vocabulary, literacy, writing skills, and overall ability to learn. At a time when high-stakes testing has squeezed substance from many curricula, Johnson and Johnson provide ways to enhance students' understanding, interest, and appreciation of language and all its subtleties. Words explores how meaning in language is created by the use and interrelationships of words, phrases, and sentences, their denotations, connotations, implications, and ambiguities. From birth, most children exhibit a natural interest in language: its sounds, nuances, and unpredictable qualities. It is important to sustain, stimulate, and recapture that natural interest in the classroom, and Words provides a multitude of creative and practical techniques for doing so.
Author: Alex Games
Publisher: Random House
ISBN: 1446415112
Category : Language Arts & Disciplines
Languages : en
Pages : 546
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Book Description
Kick the Bucket and Swing the Cat takes a humorous tour through the fascinating, sometimes tragic, and often surprising history of the English language and its etymology. Author, humorist and word-sleuth Alex Games uncovers the trends, innovations and scandals that have shaped the meanings of our most popular words and expressions, from Chaucer to Internet jargon and Ancient Greek to American slang. Who was the original Jack the Lad, Gordon Bennett or Bloody Mary? Where do dodgy geezers and hooligans come from? What are skeldering, dithering and sabre-rattling? This amusing but rigorously researched account of English words and their origins combines the findings of the major BBC TV series and the nationwide Wordhunt, and is an entertaining treasure trove for English-language lovers everywhere.
Author: Max Cryer
Publisher: ReadHowYouWant.com
ISBN: 1458785599
Category : Language Arts & Disciplines
Languages : en
Pages : 406
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Book Description
Believe it or not, this is probably the first book to attempt to identify the original sources of some of the English language's most common expressions. We might think we know who first said famous for fifteen minutes, annus horribilis, the cold war and let them eat cake. It's a no brainer, you might say, but Max Cryer has a surprise or two in ...
Author: Eric Thompson
Publisher: Partridge Publishing Singapore
ISBN: 1543744915
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 330
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Book Description
The book is designed to be used as a self-study resource for either an active person on the road or someone preferring the comfort of home who is ready to improve their English vocabulary and conversation skills. It is useful to jump-start for normal daily conversation or even business interactions. Key Features: a. Words or phrases b. Meanings c. Sample sentences d. Spaces for your sentences e. Treasure boxes for tips on to becoming fluent in English. f. Review sections to keep you update.
Author: Stephen A. Barney
Publisher: Yale Language Series
ISBN: 9780300035063
Category : Language Arts & Disciplines
Languages : en
Pages : 79
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Book Description
Designed for introductory courses in Old English, Word-Hoard offers a vocabulary of some 2000 words drawn from the poems that beginning students normally read. Exploiting the natural curiosity we feel about our own language, Stephen Barney draws etymological connections, provides mnemonic aids, and introduces the student to cultural and literary concepts as well as words. This second edition of his valuable book has been completely reset in a format that improves its clarity and conciseness. Reviews of the earlier edition: "An excellent piece of work. . . . It makes learning the basic vocabulary of Old English, especially of the poetry, an adventure in ideas, adding in short compass the fascination of etymology and even semantics to the otherwise laborious and at first crude efforts to understand the texts."--John C. Pope "It obviously reflects enthusiasm and a great deal of hard work, and it will serve very well the students for whom it is intended."--Thomas D. Hill, Speculum "There is nothing quite like it in the literature. . . . Such a book would have been enthusiastically greeted years ago. It is doubly welcome today."--Choice Stephen A. Barney is professor of English at the University of California at Irvine.
Author: John P. Considine
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 0198785011
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 334
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Book Description
This work tells the story of the first European wordlists of minority and unofficial languages and dialects, from the end of the Middle Ages to the early nineteenth century. It explores not just the languages and the wordlists themselves, but also the lives of those who created them and their motivations.
Author: Robin Devoe
Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
ISBN: 9781545109274
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 150
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Book Description
A dictionary of English's 3500 most interesting and/or beautiful words. Many are obscure words -- this book is not useful for foreigners learning English, but best enjoyed by fluent or native speakers. A book for word-lovers who enjoy learning and appreciating more of the English language. Includes some poetical quotes showing usage and select etymologies.
Author: Bernard Quaritch (Firm)
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Antiquarian booksellers
Languages : en
Pages : 840
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Book Description
