Who Said That First?: The Curious Origins of Common Words and Phrases - Softcover

Cryer, Max

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0908988915 ISBN 13: 9780908988914

Publisher: Exisle Publishing

Synopsis

Believe it or not, this is probably the first book to attempt to identify the original sources of some of the English language's most common expressions. We might think we know who first said 'famous for fifteen minutes', 'annus horribilis', 'the cold war' and 'let them eat cake'. It's 'a no brainer', you might say, but Max Cryer has a surprise or two in store for you. 'I kid you not'. In this very readable book, he explores the origins of hundreds of expressions we use and hear every day - and comes up with some surprising findings. Never 'economical with the truth', he might just have 'the last laugh'. We learn what they didn't say...'We are not amused'; 'Elementary my dear Watson'; 'Let them eat cake'; 'First catch your hare'. We learn that the Bible doesn't mention Salome - or seven veils...We learn about the origins of the infamous Mile High Club. Written in Max Cryer's delightfully witty style, WHO SAID THAT FIRST? is a wonderful book to dip into or settle a friendly dispute. Remember, good books are 'few and far between', and 'you get what you pay for'. So buy this book, 'go ahead, make my day'. The inspiration for WHO SAID THAT FIRST? During his years working in Hollywood, Max Cryer became acquainted with Lucille Ball - at the time the world's most popular comedy actress. One day when they were having lunch together, Max complimented her on the amount of pleasure she gave, and Lucille replied: 'I would be absolutely nothing without the writers. It's all to do with the way things are written - they create the springboard for me.' The remark stayed with Max for years, and he realised it was true. Very often the person who said an effective or memorable line didn't actually create it. As Lucille Ball had said, the person in the background should have the credit - but was usually invisible. This is was what motivated him to seek not just popular expressions - but who had actually originated them.

About this title

About the Author:

Max Cryer is a writer, entertainer and broadcaster, who hosts a weekly radio slot on quirks of the English language. In a long career, he has been a schoolteacher, a compere and television host, as well as a performer on the opera stage in London and in cabaret in Las Vegas and Hollywood. Now a full-time writer living in Auckland, he has written many books, including Love Me Tender, The Godzone Dictionary and Hear Our Voices, We Entreat.

Review:

Featured on -- Today Programme BBC Radio 4 Featured on -- Radio 5 Live BBC Radio 5 Featured on BBC World Service 'Who Who Who gave Santa his catchphrase? Father Christmas will soon be chortling "Ho, Ho, Ho!" to excited children - but where did he get that from? New book Who Said That First? explores the often obscure origins of more than 500 common phrases. Some may sound, well, Beyond the Pale, and you might say: Naff Off! But do you know where a Blood Mary tipple gets its name?' The Sun 'this book's happy mission is to restore credit to the creative people who first said (or at least wrote down) "hit the nail on the head"..."small but perfectly formed"... "I'll eat my hat"..., and so on... Cryer also unearths some surprising facts... Cryer has worked hard and writes a pleasingly compact prose. Or, in other words that probably won't catch on: he gives good microstyle.' The Guardian 'a brilliant book exploring the curious origins of common words and phrases. If you've ever pondered where 'Absence makes the heart grow fonder' comes from, you'll like this.' St Christopher's Live Your Life e-zine 'This book will open up many a debate in pubs and homes everywhere.' Best of British 'This is one of those delightful books that is so enjoyable to get lost in but can also be very useful for settling an argument... From classical terms such as 'bread and circuses' to modern adjectives like 'metrosexual', there are so many rich references here.' The Good Book Guide 'The kind of delightful book you get lost in, and that is also useful for settling an argument about the origin of certain sayings.' The Good Book Guide

About this edition

• Publisher: Exisle Publishing
• ISBN 10: 0908988915
• ISBN 13: 9780908988914
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 320