Synopsis
An entertaining and authoritative tour of the American language.
The American language has a living history, and the acclaimed Homegrown English is its guidebook. Linguistic tour guide Jeffrey McQuain serves up anecdotes and little-known facts along the way as he tells the engaging and informative story of how the idiosyncrasies of the American character shaped the American language.
From Native American terms to current coinages, the American vocabulary mirrors both the strengths and the weaknesses of our national character. McQuain demonstrates how our invention of words matches our distinctive American traits--from tall-talking (absquatulation) to creativity (mixologist) to down-right orneriness (dad-blasted). Along the way, Homegrown English shows us who we were, who we are now, and who we may be in this new millennium.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
About the Author
Jeffrey McQuain has been a researcher and guest columnist for William Safire's "On Language" column, and is a renowned Shakespeare scholar. He is currently the editor of Copy Editor, and is the author of Coined by Shakespeare, the Word Workout series, and Power Language: Getting the Most Out of Your Words.
From the Back Cover
"...a doozy of a book...meaning 'a stunning example, a wow'."
-- WILLIAM SAFIRE, "On Language"
"...a masterly investigation of our national character."
-- ANNE SOUKHANOV, "Word Watch" columnist, The Atlantic Monthly
From the Inside Flap
An entertaining and authoritative tour of the American language.
The American language has a living history, and the acclaimed Homegrown English is its guidebook. Linguistic tour guide Jeffrey McQuain serves up anecdotes and little-known facts along the way as he tells the engaging and informative story of how the idiosyncrasies of the American character shaped the American language.
From Native American terms to current coinages, the American vocabulary mirrors both the strengths and the weaknesses of our national character. McQuain demonstrates how our invention of words matches our distinctive American traits--from tall-talking (absquatulation) to creativity (mixologist) to down-right orneriness (dad-blasted). Along the way, Homegrown English shows us who we were, who we are now, and who we may be in this new millennium.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
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Homegrown English: How Americans Invented Themselves and Their Language
Published by
Random House, 2002
ISBN 10: 0375719814
ISBN 13: 9780375719813
Used
Trade Paperback
First Edition
Seller: Adventures Underground, Richland, WA, U.S.A.
Seller rating 4 out of 5 stars
Trade Paperback. Condition: Very Good. No Jacket. First Thus. Light wear to corners. Used Book. Seller Inventory # 152287
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Homegrown English How Americans Invented Themselves and Their Language
Published by
Random House Reference, New York, NY, 2002
ISBN 10: 0375719814
ISBN 13: 9780375719813
Used
Paperback
Seller: True Oak Books, Highland, NY, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Very Good. Reissue Edition; First Printing. 278 pages; minor rubbing smudges to the bottom exterior edge of textblock. Very Good condition otherwise. No other noteworthy defects. No markings. ; - Your satisfaction is our priority. We offer free returns and respond promptly to all inquiries. Your item will be carefully cushioned in bubble wrap and securely boxed. All orders ship on the same or next business day. Buy with confidence. Seller Inventory # HVD-51045-A-0
Seller Image
Homegrown English How Americans Invented Themselves and Their Language
Published by
Random House Reference, New York, NY, 2002
ISBN 10: 0375719814
ISBN 13: 9780375719813
Used
Paperback
Seller: True Oak Books, Highland, NY, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Very Good+. Reissue Edition; First Printing. 278 pages; Very Good condition. No noteworthy defects. No markings. ; - Your satisfaction is our priority. We offer free returns and respond promptly to all inquiries. Your item will be carefully cushioned in bubble wrap and securely boxed. All orders ship on the same or next business day. Buy with confidence. Seller Inventory # HVD-50970-A-0
Seller Image
Homegrown English How Americans Invented Themselves and Their Language
Published by
Random House Reference, New York, NY, 2002
ISBN 10: 0375719814
ISBN 13: 9780375719813
Used
Paperback
Seller: True Oak Books, Highland, NY, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Good+. Reissue Edition; First Printing. 278 pages; minor creasing to spine. Slightly cocked spine. Minor water waving to some pages. Good condition otherwise. No other noteworthy defects. No markings. ; - Your satisfaction is our priority. We offer free returns and respond promptly to all inquiries. Your item will be carefully cushioned in bubble wrap and securely boxed. All orders ship on the same or next business day. Buy with confidence. Seller Inventory # HVD-51534-A-0