Description

Book Synopsis

How on earth did 'with bells on' come to express enthusiasm?
What do chips on shoulders have to do with inferiority complexes?
... And who is the face that launched a thousand ships?

Spilling the Beans on the Cat's Pyjamas provides us with the meanings of these well-worn and much-loved phrases by putting these linguistic quirks in context, and explaining how and why they were first used.

For example, did you know that 'the rule of thumb' refers to the use of the thumb to make measurements, as the first joint of the average adult thumb measures one inch?

Absorbing, diverting and fascinating - as far as gift books go, Spilling the Beans really is the bee's knees!



Trade Review
If you'd like to know the origins of some of our most baffling phrases, take a look at this * Daily Express *
Provides a wealth of fascinating facts about the meaning and origin of phrases we use every day... With every page guaranteed to entertain and inform, this really is the bee's knees when it comes to the perfect gift! * Lancashire Evening Post *
Reveals the origins and meanings of some of the most popular and obscure sayings we use today * Daily Mirror *

Spilling the Beans on the Cat's Pyjamas: Popular

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    A Paperback / softback by Judy Parkinson

    £7.59

    Includes FREE delivery

    RRP £7.99 – you save £0.40 (5%)

    Order before 4pm today for delivery by Tue 25 Aug 2026.

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      View other formats and editions of Spilling the Beans on the Cat's Pyjamas: Popular by Judy Parkinson

      Book details

      Publisher Michael O'Mara Books Ltd
      Published 4 April 2013
      ISBN-13 9781782430117
      978-1782430117
      ISBN-10 1782430113
      Also in:
      Dictionaries, Reference & Language Dialect, slang and jargon Humour Slang and dialect humour Politics, Philosophy & Society General studies and General knowledge

      Description

      Book Synopsis

      How on earth did 'with bells on' come to express enthusiasm?
      What do chips on shoulders have to do with inferiority complexes?
      ... And who is the face that launched a thousand ships?

      Spilling the Beans on the Cat's Pyjamas provides us with the meanings of these well-worn and much-loved phrases by putting these linguistic quirks in context, and explaining how and why they were first used.

      For example, did you know that 'the rule of thumb' refers to the use of the thumb to make measurements, as the first joint of the average adult thumb measures one inch?

      Absorbing, diverting and fascinating - as far as gift books go, Spilling the Beans really is the bee's knees!



      Trade Review
      If you'd like to know the origins of some of our most baffling phrases, take a look at this * Daily Express *
      Provides a wealth of fascinating facts about the meaning and origin of phrases we use every day... With every page guaranteed to entertain and inform, this really is the bee's knees when it comes to the perfect gift! * Lancashire Evening Post *
      Reveals the origins and meanings of some of the most popular and obscure sayings we use today * Daily Mirror *

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