Presenting a tour of English from its mongrel origins to its status as the world's most-spoken tongue; its apparent simplicity to its deceptive complexity; its vibrant swearing to its uncertain spelling and pronunciation, this book covers curious eccentricities that make it as maddening to learn and as flexible to use.

Contains more than 1,000 additional signs bringing the total contents to over 2400 clear line-drawing graphics, making this the most comprehensive and contemporary print collection of British Sign Language (BSL) vocabulary to date, with an Index of over 6000 words. Second edition, revised and enlarged.

Helps you discover words you never knew existed, and rediscover many that you had forgotten or had given up all hope of ever seeing again.

English is enriched with many borrowings and influences from other languages. Aficionado, chutzpah, pro bono, hoi polloi, ketchup, nous, zeitgeist - we use these foreign words every day without thinking of their origins, but what do they actually mean? This book offers information for 'connoisseurs' (French) of the English language.

Takes you on a series of excursions down the curious byways of word history and meaning, mingling the fare with games, lists, tests, and quotes. This book helps you learn about the words that are never spoken and others that don't get written.

Helps you discover different sorts of words you've always wished existed but never knew, such as fornale, to spend one's money before it has been earned; cagg, a solemn vow or resolution not to get drunk for a certain time; and petrichor, the pleasant smell that accompanies the first rain after a dry spell.

Takes a look at how our language changes and explores the influence of other cultures on our own. This work includes such entries as: 'dekko' - take a quick look; 'brilliantine' - men's hair dressing product; and 'Nippy' - the name given to waitresses in Lyons Corner Houses. It is aimed at those interested in history and the English language.

How on earth did 'with bells on' come to express enthusiasm? Why is good health compared to a small stringed instrument? And what do pickles have to do with quandaries? This work provides us with the meanings to these well-worn and much-loved phrases by putting these linguistic quirks in context, and explaining how and why they were first used.

Sparkling with insight and linguistic curiosity, this delightful compendium answers 101 of the most intriguing questions about the English language, from word origins and spelling to grammar and usage. Irresistible to anyone with an interest in the words around them.

3RD EDITION

Have you ever wondered what phrases such as 'square meal', 'load of old codswallop', 'egg on your face' or 'in the limelight' mean? Where do they come from? Have you ever taken a moment to wonder what we say actually means? This book explains the origins of hundreds of common phrases.

The English Pronunciation and Speech Training Manual.

Journey into the history of English and discover how words have been absorbed into our language to make it what it is today

Signs cover baby and early years, special needs, school and work settings and beginner's sign language courses.

The English language is crammed with colorful phrases and sayings that we use without thinking every day. This book explores the origins of phrases from the rich traditions of the navy, army and law to confidence tricksters and highwaymen, from the practices of ancient civilizations to Music Hall and pubs.

A dictionary of modern cliches.

A dictionary of signs for the deaf, pocket edition.

Presents an alternative paradigm in understanding and appreciating World Englishes in the wake of globalization and its accompanying shifting priorities in many dimensions of modern life, including the emergence of the English language as the dominant lingua franca.