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Tom Read Wilson is here to take us on a rip-roaring tour through
some of the most astonishing and amusing words in the English
language with Every Word Tells a Story. See how the English
language evolved in this extraordinary exploration of the origins
of everyday words. Full of funny stories and fascinating facts, Tom
Read Wilson knows even the most ordinary-sounding word can have the
most surprising story behind it! Did you know, for instance, that:
The word 'bloomers' comes from Amelia Bloomer, who was a women's
rights activist and owner and editor of the first U.S. newspaper
edited by and for women, who wanted to move more freely in her
knickers? Or that the word 'daisy' comes from the Old English
daeges eage, meaning 'day's eye', because the petals of a daisy
open at dawn and close at dusk? The word 'easel' comes from the
Dutch word 'ezel', meaning donkey, because both are depenable and
suitable for carrying a load? Or that English nicknames for police
officers, 'bobbies' and 'peelers', both come from the names of Sir
Robert Peel, British prime minister in the 1800s and creator of the
first modern police force? Each fascinating word is explored
through a quirky, amusing story alongside the etymology, word
origin and definition. Paired with beautiful, characterful
illustrations by Ian Morris, Every Word Tells a Story is a perfect
book for young wordsmiths, encouraging kids and adults alike to
have fun whilst learning about language.
In On the Tip of My Tongue, logophile and television star Tom Read
Wilson takes a delicious dive into the etymology and usage of
words, euphemisms and bon mots. Written with his trademark
sparkling wit, the star of Celebs Go Dating and self-avowed
word-lover presents a hilarious and fascinating guide which aims to
leave you never lost for words again. Divided into sections
spanning dating, personal development, show business, compliments,
curses, and how to dodge offence while speaking your mind, this
book will equip you with the words needed to navigate all the
situations of modern life with style and grace. From treppenwitz
(the German word for the feeling of a missed riposte in an
argument) to Callipygian (a 17th Century word referring to someone
with well shaped buttocks) to JOMO (the Joy of Missing Out), this
guide covers a wide and varied range of words, from those with
roots in antiquity to new ones being coined in the present day.
With Tom's wit and lifelong love of words by your side, you'll
always be able to pick the perfect word, phrase or quip, whether
you are trying to understand the many metaphors for sex or trying
to tell your mother you love her. This is a delightful and
hilarious etymological solution to the dilemmas and conundrums of
modern life and a must-read for every budding vocabularian.
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Paperback
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R383
R310
Discovery Miles 3 100
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