Book description
Unravel the meaning, origin, and usage of over 6,000 phrases from book
and film titles, idioms and cliches, to nicknames, slogans and
quotations with this modern and entertaining guide to wonderful phrases
by one of the world's best-known wordsmiths.
The ideal replacement or complement to that tatty old copy of Brewer's
Phrase and Fable most of us have about the house, A Word in Your
Shell-Like is an entertaining look at both familiar and unfamiliar
phrases by one of the key world authorities in English language
reference. The articles also contain discussion of meaning, origin and usage.
Who was originally 'sold down the river'? Have you been told to 'Naff
off'? Find out of whom it was said 'he couldn't chew gum and fart at the
same time', who the 'catcher in the rye' was, and what it means to be
'caught between wind and water'. Few other word reference books are
likely to increase your store of knowledge with such fun. 'Nigel Rees
should put a 'feather in his cap' for compiling this entertaining guide.
It would make a wonderful gift for anyone who likes to dabble in our
language's rich heritage - “just what the doctor ordered”!'
Best of British
'A treasury of stimulating excursions and digressions' Guardian Nigel
Rees is a leading authority on the use of well-known phrases and
sayings. As a broadcaster, he is best-known as the deviser and presenter
of BBC Radio's Quote…Unquote.
As an author, he has written many books devoted to quotations and
aspects of the popular use of the English language, always emphasizing
the humour in his subject.
