Proverbs are short, well-known, pithy sayings that offer advice or words of encouragement and are used in everyday English without much thought ever being given to their meanings, or indeed, usefulness. This book explores the truth behind our favourite proverbs, their history and whether they offer any genuine help to the recipient.

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.

Collins Easy Learning French Dictionary is an up-to-date, easy-reference dictionary with a practical and fun supplement, ideal for learners of French of all ages.

This revised edition of the world-famous Concise Oxford English Dictionary presents the most accurate picture of English today. It has been updated with hundreds of new words, and contains a brand-new browsable centre section featuring fascinating vocabulary as well as an 'English Uncovered' supplement.

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.

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.

'If Lynne Truss were Roman Catholic I'd nominate her for sainthood.' Frank McCourt

This is a new and fully revised edition of the world's best-selling, most practical pocket English dictionary, with a new, open text design to make it even more user friendly. This title replaces ISBN 0-19-860571-4.

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.

Celebrating its 30th anniversary, this latest edition of Collins' multimillion-selling dictionary comes with a newly updated Phrasefinder supplement making it the perfect choice for anyone needing a portable, up-to-the-minute French dictionary.

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.

This handy guide provides the basic information about grammar and punctuation that people need on a daily basis. Arranged in an A-Z format, the book contains entries for standard grammatical terms and deals with specific questions of usage such as the difference between 'may' and 'might', 'that' and 'which'.

This brand-new edition of the Oxford Paperback Dictionary & Thesaurus is a great value product, combining a dictionary and thesaurus integrated in one volume, making it an ideal reference tool for all your language needs.

This Welsh dictionary provides learners with what they really need: complete examples of words and phrases in context. Readers can learn Welsh usages as well as words.

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.

Offers a dictionary text, plus a Factfinder centre section giving information on people, places, and events, as well as thematic lists of facts. This dictionary covers the words you need for everyday use, and is useful for puzzle and crossword-solving. It is ideal for reference at home, at school, or in the office.

Offers over 300,000 alternative and opposite words. Synonyms are given in order of usefulness, showing the most relevant synonym first. This thesaurus is suitable for all kinds of writing needs: study, letters, reports, creative writing, and for general reference.

Takes you on a tour of the English language, through rules and conditions for the grammatically unaware. This book highlights the common pitfalls that English language user faces on a day to day basis.

Collins Gem English Dictionary, in colour, is the world's best-selling small dictionary. With its clear definitions, spelling and grammar tips, and a supplement of the latest new words, this handy little dictionary is the ideal portable companion for all.

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.