Synopsis
Fine words butter no parsnips” is an expression dating back 400 years. Twocking andchav are popular new arrivals in the ever-growing vocabulary of British slang. What do words and phrases like these have in common, and what sets them apart? That’s what this fascinating book sets out to explore. Along the way, it illuminates the whole process of word formation and proliferation. How are new words and phrases born? What’s special about the ones that enter common usage? How do mistakes and jokes affect a word’s career? Why do some words die, never to be used again? With examples ranging from Shakespeare to text messaging, this is a browsable collection rich with amusing quotations, unusual anecdotes, and clever wordplay.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
About the Author
Martin H. Manser has been a professional reference book editor since 1980. He has compiled or edited more than 150 reference books, particularly English-language dictionaries, thesauruses, and Bible reference titles. He is also a language trainer and consultant with national companies and organizations. He and his wife live in Aylesbury and have a son and a daughter.
Review
an entertaining compendium showing, above all else, that words have a matchless power to entertain * HUDDERSFIELD DAILY EXAMINER * [a] tasty gallimaufry of linguistic oddities * INDEPENDENT *
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Other Popular Editions of the Same Title
Search results for The Secret Life of the English Language: Buttering...
Stock Image
The Secret Life of the English Language: Buttering Parsnips, Twocking Chavs
Seller: ThriftBooks-Atlanta, AUSTELL, GA, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Very Good. No Jacket. May have limited writing in cover pages. Pages are unmarked. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less. Seller Inventory # G0753824175I4N00
Stock Image
The Secret Life of the English Language: Buttering Parsnips, Twocking Chavs
Seller: ThriftBooks-Dallas, Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Very Good. No Jacket. May have limited writing in cover pages. Pages are unmarked. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less. Seller Inventory # G0753824175I4N00
Stock Image
The Secret Life of the English Language: Buttering Parsnips, Twocking Chavs
Seller: World of Books (was SecondSale), Montgomery, IL, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Good. Item in good condition. Textbooks may not include supplemental items i.e. CDs, access codes etc. Seller Inventory # 00071958502
Stock Image
The Secret Life of the English Language: Buttering Parsnips, Twocking Chavs
Seller: HPB-Diamond, Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
paperback. Condition: Very Good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority! Seller Inventory # S_414008138
Stock Image
The Secret Life of the English Language
Seller: PBShop.store US, Wood Dale, IL, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
PAP. Condition: New. New Book. Shipped from UK. Established seller since 2000. Seller Inventory # AR-9780753824177
Stock Image
The Secret Life of The English Language: Buttering Parsnips and Twocking Chavs
Seller: WorldofBooks, Goring-By-Sea, WS, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Very Good. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged. Seller Inventory # GOR003401838
Buy Used
US$ 4.38
Shipping:
US$ 7.29
From United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Quantity: 2 available
Seller Image
The Secret Life of the English Language
Seller: Rarewaves.com USA, London, LONDO, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: New. A more-ishly browsable collection of words and phrases, linguistic quirks, lexical oddities and syntactic surprises.Our langauge is one of delight and curiosity. BUTTERING PARSNIPS, TWOCKING CHAVS is a guided tour of English, exploring the origins of words, their changing meaning, lexical peculiarities, word games and lost words, presented in lists, small passages of narrative text, amusing quotations and nuggets of amazing facts.This must-have compendium shows that words have a matchless power to entertain. Here you will find enough new words and phrases to last a lifetime. Idioms frolic beside cliches, catchphrases, proverbs, eponyms, acronyms, spoonerisms and split infinitives. Text messages cavort alongside business jargon and rap slang to produce a language that is both witty and bizarre, and sometimes frankly outstanding.So whether you're a yuppie or a woopie, a sinbad or dinky, a spod or even a wazzock, these pages will provide endless hours of delight and fascination. Seller Inventory # LU-9780753824177
Stock Image
The Secret Life of the English Language (Paperback)
Published by
Orion Publishing Co, London, 2008
ISBN 10: 0753824175
ISBN 13: 9780753824177
New
Paperback
Seller: Grand Eagle Retail, Bensenville, IL, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: new. Paperback. Our langauge is one of delight and curiosity. BUTTERING PARSNIPS, TWOCKING CHAVS is a guided tour of English, exploring the origins of words, their changing meaning, lexical peculiarities, word games and lost words, presented in lists, small passages of narrative text, amusing quotations and nuggets of amazing facts.This must-have compendium shows that words have a matchless power to entertain. Here you will find enough new words and phrases to last a lifetime. Idioms frolic beside cliches, catchphrases, proverbs, eponyms, acronyms, spoonerisms and split infinitives. Text messages cavort alongside business jargon and rap slang to produce a language that is both witty and bizarre and sometimes frankly outstanding.So whether you're a yuppie or a woopie, a sinbad or dinky, a spod or even a wazzock, these pages will provide endless hours of delight and fascination. A more-ishly browsable collection of words and phrases, linguistic quirks, lexical oddities and syntactic surprises. Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability. Seller Inventory # 9780753824177
Stock Image
The Secret Life of the English Language: Buttering Parsnips, Twocking Chavs
Seller: Burke's Book Store, Memphis, TN, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Soft Cover. Condition: Very Good. Tight, clean. Seller Inventory # 220606
Stock Image
The Secret Life of the English Language
Seller: PBShop.store UK, Fairford, GLOS, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
PAP. Condition: New. New Book. Shipped from UK. Established seller since 2000. Seller Inventory # AR-9780753824177
Buy New
US$ 8.59
Shipping:
US$ 5.42
From United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Quantity: 15 available