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Interesting Stories about Curious Words: From Stealing Thunder to Red Herrings (Hardcover)

Interesting Stories about Curious Words: From Stealing Thunder to Red Herrings Cover Image
$24.99
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Description


Join Susie Dent, lexicographer extraordinaire and Queen of Countdown's Dictionary Corner, on a curious and exceedingly interesting adventure through all the very best RED HERRINGS, COCK AND BULL STORIES and NINE-DAY WONDERS in the English language.

Who was SWEET FANNY ADAMS?


What's the dramatic true story behind STEALING THUNDER?


Why is it CHANCING YOUR ARM when you take a risk?


What do bears have to do with LICKING INTO SHAPE?


Or robbers with PULLING SOMEONE'S LEG?


Why are CIRCLES VICIOUS?


And, what's so bad about a WHITE ELEPHANT?


'Nobody on earth knows more about the English language than Susie Dent' Gyles Brandreth

About the Author


Susie Dent is the resident word expert in Dictionary Corner on C4's Countdown and 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown, and has been on every programme about words: 15 x 15, Word of Mouth, and More or Less. Susie also writes regularly for the Radio Times, The Week Junior and The I, and her Word of the Day has attracted over 1,000,000 followers on Twitter.

Praise For…


Susie Dent is a one-off. She breathes life and fun into words and language—Pam Ayres

Susie Dent is a national treasure—Richard Osman

With this book, readers won't be lost for words: we'll be happily lost within them—Irish Sunday Business Post

Product Details
ISBN: 9781399811675
ISBN-10: 1399811673
Publisher: John Murray
Publication Date: June 11th, 2024
Pages: 320
Language: English

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