Why Do We Say It?

by Castle Books

Book Overview

How did lollypops get their name? What's long about a longshoreman? Why do we pass the buck? The answers are in this fascinating volume. The intriguing origins of hundreds of unusual words and expressions are here, organized in a handy alphabetical format. Useful for reference and fun just for browsing, this book is also a great way to expand your vocabulary and enjoy doing it. The hardcover edition makes a wonderful gift for readers and writers, scholars and students. Uncover the mysteries of the modern English language and share the facts and trivia with your family and friends.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1555210104
• ISBN13: 9781555210106
• Release Date: November 2009
• Publisher: Castle Books
• Length: 286 Pages
• Weight: 1.00 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.5" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

Interesting

I gave this book to my husband because he loves this type of stuff. He gives it the big thumbs up!

Very informative

Now my daughter knows why I have said some of the things I have. I looked for a long time for a book like this to explain my strange language. Ha ha

What I didn't learn in college

This is a great book for trivia or for finding the meanings and origins of every day words. I went through 4 years of undergrad and 2 years of grad school, and never learned the meaning of a bachelor's degree, why they call the school you attended your "alma matter," why do we "open the budget," or where the term pork barrel politics comes from, but the answer to those questions and hundreds of others is in this book. Want to know where the dandelion got its name from, you can find it in the book. If you have a friend whose first language is not English, this book serves as an excellent reference for understanding some of English' most common phrase. I believe this book is out of print now, but grab one of the few that are remaining, if not for yourself, but for the wordsmith or trivia buff in your life. http://gaskin.dyndns.org