Accidental Dictionary - Hardcover

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1783962976 ISBN 13: 9781783962976

Publisher: Elliott & Thompson, 2016

Synopsis

NA

About this title

About the Author

Paul Anthony Jones is a writer, etymologist and language blogger. He is the author of several books on trivia and language, including the widely acclaimed Word Drops: A Sprinkling of Linguistic Curiosities (2015), The British Isles: A Trivia Gazetteer (2012), Haggard Hawks & Paltry Poltroons (2013) and its sequel, Jedburgh Justice & Kentish Fire (2014). He has contributed to the Independent, the Guardian, the Huffington Post, BuzzFeed, Mental Floss and BBC Radio 4's The World at One, and he also runs @HaggardHawks, the hugely popular language-based Twitter account and YouTube channel. A piano teacher and musician, he lives in South Tyneside.

Review

"Paul Anthony Jones's The Accidental Dictionary is certainly worth adding [to a bookshelf]. It's all about the changes in meaning that many words have experienced over the years. ... I knew very few of these, which is a good thing, and now I know more, which is a better one" -- Marcus Berkmann, Spectator Christmas books 2016; "Check out @HaggardHawks' new book for more lovely facts on how words changed their meanings over time" -- Greg Jenner, author of A Million Years in a Day; "His focus is on words that have since done a volte-face, with surprising and often comical results ... There's no need to know any of this... but it sure makes life a lot nicer to find these things out" -- Madame J-Mo; "Verbal hanky-panky at its best"-- Sciencebase; "A fantastic book" -- Nudge-book.com; "The short witty essays on each chosen word are fascinating ... The Accidental Dictionary is both fascinating and rigorous at the same time. Jones writes in an entertaining and informative way, and it is littered liberally with quotes and verse, making this an engaging book to read too. It is a great little book for the etymological nut; and for those that cherish the book this has a stunning gold leaf print on the cover" -- HalfManHalfBook; "Fun and informative" -- Interesting Literature.com; "A delight to read ... fun to have on the bookshelf and possibly a good extra Christmas present (yes it is getting closer) for the pedant in your life (even if it is you!)" - Army Rumour Service; "If you like Mashed Radish, then you'll love Paul Anthony Jones' latest book ... Each selection is pithy and engaging, making The Accidental Dictionary an ideal book to pick up whenever you need a funny yet informative break or burst of inspired word-nerdom. But I think you'll find, like me, that the word histories Jones' has curated - and his infectious enthusiasm for them - are hard to put down" -- Mashed Radish; "I'm always on the hunt for a book that will educate me while entertain me at the same time and I have to say this is the perfect combination ... A fun read"-- After the Credits; "A real delight ... hidden gems nestle on every page" - jaffareadstoo.blogspot.co.uk; 'This is the perfect book for fans of language, people who thrive on knowing the unique meanings of words, the origins and the history of phrases. I would thoroughly recommend this book ... Probably one of my favourite books this year and one that I will be sure to return to many times' - thequietknitter.wordpress.com

About this edition

• Publisher: Elliott & Thompson
• Publication date: 2016
• ISBN 10: 1783962976
• ISBN 13: 9781783962976
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 224