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Please Run That By Me Again - Everything You Wanted to Know About Words and Idioms but Were Afraid to Ask (Paperback)
Loot Price: R287
Discovery Miles 2 870
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Please Run That By Me Again - Everything You Wanted to Know About Words and Idioms but Were Afraid to Ask (Paperback)
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Loot Price R287
Discovery Miles 2 870
Expected to ship within 10 - 15 working days
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This book describes the author's trials and tribulations mixed with
the surprise and joy he experienced as he struggled to learn
English. Although he had English lessons in Taiwan, he was aware
that his rudimentary knowledge of English was far from adequate. He
recalls wasting time arguing and guessing with his college friends
about the meanings and the origins of English words such as
cocktail and hot dog. Drinks have something to do with cocks' tails
and food with dogs? He would soon find out that more curious words
were waiting for him when he headed for the U.S. As he became
assimilated with the passing of time, he made friends named
Burnside, Williams, Little and Old. Little and Old? He has chuckled
at the free-wheeling ways of people naming themselves. He also
wondered what Lincoln, Ford and Reagan meant. He has gone Dutch
with friends and had hamburgers for lunch. With his friends he has
watched a south paw pitcher throw a foul ball to flatten a batter,
prompting all the players to rush out from the bull pen to start a
fight. He was puzzled hearing "son of a gun" uttered by his excited
friends. He thanked a person and was totally lost when he was told
"you bet." During a morning walk in the park, the gentle breeze
prompted him to wonder why the word wind could be pronounced two
ways and had two completely different meanings. He learned many
American idioms and expressions such as "lock, stock and barrel" or
"as happy as a clam." What? Please run those by me again. Many
wonderful idioms and expressons such as "green-eyed jealousy," "a
tower of strength" and "in a pickle" came from England. When you
hear "if you act more in sorrow than in anger" or "if you have
played fast and loose" you know that they came from England. The
English language, with its many centuries of constant growth and
change, has become the premier language of the world. It is simple,
direct, flexible, expressive and creative. It has become the lingua
franca, a second official language of some countries, the language
of many mutil-national corporations and of the scientific and
business world. The author explores many aspects of the English
language from the view points of an immigrant, hoping that his
expereinces will help those who may encounter puzzling words and
idioms of their new country. He hopes that this book will stimulate
and bring joy to any one who wants to widen and deepen his
knowledge of English.
General
Imprint: |
Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
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Country of origin: |
United States |
Release date: |
October 2013 |
First published: |
October 2013 |
Authors: |
Wen L Wang
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Dimensions: |
216 x 140 x 14mm (L x W x T) |
Format: |
Paperback - Trade
|
Pages: |
264 |
ISBN-13: |
978-1-4839-2659-9 |
Categories: |
Books >
Language & Literature >
Literary & linguistic reference works >
General
|
LSN: |
1-4839-2659-1 |
Barcode: |
9781483926599 |
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