Humble Pie and Cold Turkey: English Expressions and Their Origins Contributor(s): Taggart, Caroline (Author) |
|
ISBN: 1789293480 ISBN-13: 9781789293487 Publisher: Michael O'Mara Books OUR PRICE: $15.26 Product Type: Hardcover Published: January 2022 |
Additional Information |
BISAC Categories: - Language Arts & Disciplines | Linguistics - Etymology |
Dewey: 428 |
Physical Information: 0.7" H x 5.1" W x 7.8" (0.60 lbs) 192 pages |
Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
Publisher Description: An entertaining and informative look at thousands of years of history to shed light on the words and phrases we use most often - and where they came from. In this highly entertaining book, language enthusiast and Sunday Times best-selling author Caroline Taggart browses through thousands of years of history to shed light on why we use the words and phrases we do. Arranged by themes including food, the household, childhood, romance and more, this intriguing book looks at the origins of our language from their historical context. For example, did you know that: If you rest on your laurels, you're imitating a complacent Roman general?If you eavesdrop, you're likely to get wet? If you're taken aback, you should, strictly speaking, be a sailing ship? If you're galvanized into action, you're behaving like Frankenstein's monster? From blue-blooded (an invention of aristocratic Spaniards) to limelight (a way of lighting Victorian theaters), passing an exam with flying colors (another image from sailing ships) to winning hands down (from horse racing), Humble Pie and Cold Turkey will answer questions you may never have thought to ask. Including why turkeys need to be cold and how pies came to be humble. |