Description

Book Synopsis
The Blackout Crew have a song with the title ''Put a donk on it'' - but what is a ''donk''? Which ending came first: ''-ise'' or ''-ize''? Where does the idea of a ''white elephant'' come from? Who decides on the collective noun for something? And what is it that made the crocodile cry?Sparkling with insight and linguistic curiosity, this delightful compendium answers 101 of the most intriguing questions about the English language, from word origins and spelling to grammar and usage. Irresistible to anyone with an interest in the words around them.Supported by Oxford''s celebrated dictionary research programme, Susie Dent tackles these and many other fascinating questions in this wonderfully accessible and endlessly entertaining exploration of the English language.

Trade Review
Brilliantly fascinating and entertaining. * Cotswold Life *

What Made the Crocodile Cry

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    A Paperback / softback by Susie Dent

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      Book details

      Publisher Oxford University Press
      Published 22 October 2009
      ISBN-13 9780199574155
      978-0199574155
      ISBN-10 0199574154
      Also in:
      Dictionaries, Reference & Language Language: history and general works Not Just Books Stationery

      Description

      Book Synopsis
      The Blackout Crew have a song with the title ''Put a donk on it'' - but what is a ''donk''? Which ending came first: ''-ise'' or ''-ize''? Where does the idea of a ''white elephant'' come from? Who decides on the collective noun for something? And what is it that made the crocodile cry?Sparkling with insight and linguistic curiosity, this delightful compendium answers 101 of the most intriguing questions about the English language, from word origins and spelling to grammar and usage. Irresistible to anyone with an interest in the words around them.Supported by Oxford''s celebrated dictionary research programme, Susie Dent tackles these and many other fascinating questions in this wonderfully accessible and endlessly entertaining exploration of the English language.

      Trade Review
      Brilliantly fascinating and entertaining. * Cotswold Life *

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