Description

The Illustrated Histories of Everyday Expressions uncovers the fascinating, humorous, and often unbelievable origin stories behind the English language's most common sayings!

Nobody thinks twice about sayings like bite the bullet and the cat's out of the bag. But the strange and wonderful origins of these expressions are far from arbitrary: They are rooted in forgotten history. Within this book, you will discover the origins of idioms like:

  • Why we say an unwell person is under the weather. It goes back to when sickly sailors and seafarers had to rest below deck!
  • How come sitting in the passenger seat of a vehicle is called riding shotgun." In the Wild West, passengers had a crucial job: packing heat and preventing highway robberies!
  • What's up with the phrase, cat got your tongue. Here's a hint: It doesn't have anything to do with cats!

With over 100 pieces of original artwork, The Illustrated Histories of Everyday Expressions is as beautiful as it is entertaining and informative. Read up on this fascinating history of the English language's 64 most popular idioms, and you will know what it really means when you say pass with flying colors, bury the hatchet, and rest on your laurels!

The Illustrated Histories of Everyday Expressions: Discover the True Stories Behind the English Language's 64 Most Popular Idioms (Etymology Book, History of Words, Language Reference Book, English Grammar and Idioms, Gift for Readers)

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£16.98

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Usually despatched within 12 days
Hardback by James McGuire , Alex Kalomeris

3 in stock

Short Description:

The Illustrated Histories of Everyday Expressions uncovers the fascinating, humorous, and often unbelievable origin stories behind the English language's most... Read more

    Publisher: HarperCollins Focus
    Publication Date: 28/01/2019
    ISBN13: 9781732512603, 978-1732512603
    ISBN10: 1732512604

    Number of Pages: 144

    Non Fiction , Humour

    Description

    The Illustrated Histories of Everyday Expressions uncovers the fascinating, humorous, and often unbelievable origin stories behind the English language's most common sayings!

    Nobody thinks twice about sayings like bite the bullet and the cat's out of the bag. But the strange and wonderful origins of these expressions are far from arbitrary: They are rooted in forgotten history. Within this book, you will discover the origins of idioms like:

    • Why we say an unwell person is under the weather. It goes back to when sickly sailors and seafarers had to rest below deck!
    • How come sitting in the passenger seat of a vehicle is called riding shotgun." In the Wild West, passengers had a crucial job: packing heat and preventing highway robberies!
    • What's up with the phrase, cat got your tongue. Here's a hint: It doesn't have anything to do with cats!

    With over 100 pieces of original artwork, The Illustrated Histories of Everyday Expressions is as beautiful as it is entertaining and informative. Read up on this fascinating history of the English language's 64 most popular idioms, and you will know what it really means when you say pass with flying colors, bury the hatchet, and rest on your laurels!

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