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Interesting Stories about Curious Words
From Stealing Thunder to Red Herrings
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Check link for latest rating. ( 327 ratings, 39 reviews)
Brief Description
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...
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Interesting Stories about Curious Words
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See moreA literary treasure-trove packed with amazing words, jaw-dropping stories and unforgettable etymologies from Countdown's Queen of Dictionary Corner, Susie Dent
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Description
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
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781399811682
Publisher: John Murray Press
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 10 October 2024
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: John Murray Publishers Ltd
Illustration: Quarter page B&W illustrations for all chapter headings
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 32.0mm
Width: 126.0mm
Height: 196.0mm
Weight: 350g
Pages: 432
Collections
About the Author
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.
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