What in the Word? Wordplay, Word Lore, and Answers to Your Peskiest Questions about Language (Harvest Original) - Softcover

Elster, Charles Harrington

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0156031973 ISBN 13: 9780156031974

Publisher: Collins Reference, 2005

Synopsis

Are you so sure about “assure,” “ensure,” and “insure”? Can you determine whether a knob of butter is equivalent to a lump or a pat or a scosh? Can you say which word in the English language has the most definitions, or who put the H in Jesus H. Christ?

If you can’t, be assured that Charles Harrington Elster, author of several well-loved works on language, can—and does in his latest book, a delightfully designed compendium of the most common, interesting, and entertaining conundrums in our language. Drawing upon esoteric sources and his own inimitable expertise, Elster uses a lively question-and-answer format to cover a variety of topics—word and phrase origins, slang, style, usage, punctuation, and pronunciation. Every chapter features original brainteasers, challenging puzzles, and a trove of literary trivia.

About this title

From the Back Cover

Are you so sure about the plural of "octopus" or the difference between "i.e." and "e.g."? Do you know which word in the English language has the most definitions, or who put the H in Jesus H. Christ?
If you don't, be assured that Charles Harrington Elster does, and he tells all in this entertaining collection of the most interesting conundrums in our language. Using esoteric sources and his own inimitable expertise, Elster covers a variety of topics including word and phrase origins, slang, style, usage, punctuation, and pronunciation. Every chapter features original brainteasers, challenging puzzles, and a trove of literary trivia, so be prepared to play while you read.
"Delightfully funny and informative. Every page is filled with amazing and amusing facts about our quirky language. The Wordbook of the Year!"--Sol Steinmetz, coauthor of Meshuggenary: Celebrating the World of Yiddish
"This book is at once authoritative and lively. Elster knows how to have fun."--Bryan A. Garner, author of Garner's Modern American Usage
"A cornucopia of linguistic fun. Fill your horn!"--Anu Garg, creator of wordsmith.org
Charles Harrington Elster is a writer, broadcaster, and logophile--a lover of words. He is the author of several books and has been a guest columnist on language for the Boston Globe and the New York Times Magazine. He lives in San Diego.

About the Author

CHARLES HARRINGTON ELSTER is a writer, broadcaster, and logophile--a lover of words. He is the author of numerous books on language, including The Big Book of Beastly Mispronunciations, Verbal Advantage, There's a Word for It, and, most recently, The Accidents of Style: Good Advice on How Not to Write Badly. He lives in San Diego.

Edition details

• Publisher: Collins Reference
• Publication date: 2005
• ISBN 10: 0156031973
• ISBN 13: 9780156031974
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 304