Interesting Stories about Curious Words

From Stealing Thunder to Red Herrings

Susie Dent

$34.99

Hardback

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English

John Murray Publishers Ltd
12 December 2023

Language: reference & general; linguistics; Lexicography

Join Susie Dent, lexicographer extraordinaire and Queen of Countdown's Dictionary Corner, on a curious and exceedingly interesting adventure through all the very best RED HERRINGS, COCK AND BULL STORIES and NINE-DAY WONDERS in the English language.

Who was SWEET FANNY ADAMS?

What's the dramatic true story behind STEALING THUNDER?

Why is it CHANCING YOUR ARM when you take a risk?

What do bears have to do with LICKING INTO SHAPE?

Or robbers with PULLING SOMEONE'S LEG?

Why are CIRCLES VICIOUS?

And, what's so bad about a WHITE ELEPHANT?

'Nobody on earth knows more about the English language than Susie Dent' Gyles Brandreth

By: Susie Dent
Imprint: John Murray Publishers Ltd
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 222mm, Width: 140mm, Spine: 38mm
Weight: 540g
ISBN: 9781399811675
ISBN 10: 1399811673
Pages: 432
Publication Date: 12 December 2023
Audience: General/trade , Professional and scholarly , General/trade , ELT Advanced , Undergraduate
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active

Susie Dent is the resident word expert in Dictionary Corner on C4's Countdown and 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown, and has been on every programme about words: 15 x 15, Word of Mouth, and More or Less. Susie also writes regularly for the Radio Times, The Week Junior and The I, and her Word of the Day has attracted over 1,000,000 followers on Twitter.