Description

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An entertaining and informative look at the words and phrases we use most often – and the stories of where they came from.

In this highly entertaining book, language enthusiast and best-selling author Caroline Taggart browses through thousands of years of history to shed light on why we use the words and phrases we do. Arranged by themes including food, home, childhood, romance and more, this intriguing book looks at the origins of our language from their historical context. For example, did you know that:
If you rest on your laurels, you’re imitating a complacent Roman general?
If you eavesdrop, you’re likely to get wet?
If you’re taken aback, you should, strictly speaking, be a sailing ship?
If you’re galvanized into action, you’re behaving like Frankenstein’s monster?

From blue-blooded (an invention of aristocratic Spaniards) to limelight (a way of lighting Victorian theaters), passing an exam with flying colors (another image from sailing ships) to winning hands down (from horse racing), Humble Pie and Cold Turkey will answer questions you may never have thought to ask. Including why turkeys need to be cold and how pies came to be humble.

Perfect for:
• Word nerds
• Trivia fans

About the Author

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Caroline Taggart worked in publishing as an editor of popular non-fiction for thirty years before being asked by Michael O'Mara Books to write I Used to Know That, which became a Sunday Times bestseller. Following that she was co-author of My Grammar and I (or should that be 'Me'?), and wrote a number of other books about words and English usage. She has appeared frequently on television and on national and regional radio, talking about language, grammar, and whether or not Druids Cross should have an apostrophe.

Her website is carolinetaggart.co.uk and you can follow her on Twitter @citaggart.