Red Herrings And White Elephants: The Origins of the Phrases We Use Every DayHave you ever wondered what phrases such as 'square meal', 'load of old codswallop', 'egg on your face' or 'in the limelight' mean? Where do they come from? Have you ever taken a moment to wonder what we say actually means? The origins of hundreds of common phrases are explained in this irreverent journey through the most fascinating and richest regions of the English language. In a book that takes you all over the world, from nautical origins to food and drink terms, once you have learnt one phrase, you will be eager to learn them all! From the drop of a hat to the bitter end - you'll be surprised and intrigued and you'll never speak English in the same way again. |
Contents
Greeks and Romans | |
Sport | |
Politics | |
The | |
Music Theatre and Performance | |
The | |
Food and Drink | |
Hunting | |
Simple Phrases Simple Origins | |
Miscellaneous | |
Other editions - View all
Red Herrings And White Elephants: The Origins of the Phrases We Use Every Day Albert Jack No preview available - 2021 |
Red Herrings & White Elephants: The Origins of the Phrases We Use Everyday Albert Jack No preview available - 2016 |
Common terms and phrases
19th century American ancient animal Army bare-knuckle boxing battle beat became known began behaviour Black Book boat brass Brass Monkey Britain Broadwick Street burned called Charles Dickens Clink cockney rhyming slang common customers dead describe drink drunk Dutch early England English language expression face favour fire Full Monty Gauntlet given gone Greek hook horse hunting implies included the line Jumping The Shark keep King knuckle labour later living London look Lord lourche McCoy means meant medieval Middle Ages Murphy's Law Namby Pamby nautical outcome person phrase dates back phrase passed play popular practice prisons punishment race rain recorded reference regarded ring Roman rope sailors sails salt saying Scratch shaggy dog story ships soldiers someone sport story suggest temse term thought traced usually Victorian Wheeler Dealer whip wind wooden word wrong wrote