QPB Encyclopedia of Word and Phrase Origins

QPB Encyclopedia of Word and Phrase Origins
Author: Robert Hendrickson
Publisher:
Total Pages: 772
Release: 1998
Genre: English language
ISBN:

A tracing of the sometimes bizarre and always fascinating origins and development of over 9000 words and phrases.

What in the Word?

What in the Word?
Author: Charles Harrington Elster
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Total Pages: 308
Release: 2005
Genre: Language Arts & Disciplines
ISBN: 9780156031974

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

In a Manner of Speaking

In a Manner of Speaking
Author: Colin McNairn
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Total Pages: 312
Release: 2015-04-28
Genre: Language Arts & Disciplines
ISBN: 1632208989

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.

Savoir Faire

Savoir Faire
Author: Laura Lee
Publisher: Wellfleet Press
Total Pages: 243
Release: 2016-03
Genre: Foreign Language Study
ISBN: 1577151259

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
Total Pages: 323
Release: 2011-10-25
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 037585715X

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
Total Pages: 608
Release: 2015-03-31
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 1101887281

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.

The Handbook of Historical Linguistics

The Handbook of Historical Linguistics
Author: Brian Joseph
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 904
Release: 2008-04-15
Genre: Language Arts & Disciplines
ISBN: 0470756330

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

Sacred and Mythological Animals

Sacred and Mythological Animals
Author: Yowann Byghan
Publisher: McFarland
Total Pages: 446
Release: 2020-03-25
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 1476679509

From the household cat to horses that can fly, a surprisingly wide range of animals feature in religions and mythologies all across the world. The same animal can take on different roles: the raven can be a symbol of evil, a harbinger of death, a wise messenger or a shape-changing trickster. In Norse mythology, Odin's magical ravens perch on his shoulders and bring him news. This compendium draws upon religious texts and myths to explore the ways sacred traditions use animal images, themes and associations in rituals, ceremonies, texts, myths, literature and folklore across the world. Sections are organized by the main animal classifications such as mammals, birds, reptiles, fish, amphibians and insects. Each chapter covers one significant grouping (such as dogs, cats or horses), first describing an animal scientifically and then detailing the mythological attributes. Numerous examples cite texts or myths. A final section covers animal hybrids, animal monsters and mythical animals as well as stars, constellations and Zodiac symbols. An appendix describes basic details of the religions and mythologies covered. A glossary defines uncommon religious terms and explains scientific animal names.

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
Total Pages: 546
Release: 2012-05-01
Genre: Humor
ISBN: 1607106019

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!