Idiomantics: The Weird World of Popular Phrases

(Hardback)

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Description

Idiomantics is a unique exploration of the world of idiomatic phrases. The very etymology of the word 'idiom' reveals what's so endlessly fascinating about the wide range of colourful phrases we use in everyday speech: their peculiarity. They're peculiar both in the sense of being particular or unique to the culture from which they originate, and in the sense of being downright odd. To cite three random examples - from American English, Dutch and Italian - what on Earth are a snow job, a monkey sandwich story, and Mr Punch's secret Fascinating and illuminating, Idiomantics explains all... The ideal gift for word buffs and in fact, anyone who enjoys a good yarn, this playful book looks at 12 groups of idioms around the world, looking at subjects such as fun and games, gastronomic delights and the daily grind.

Reviews

A grand tour of unexpected delights, revealing each nation's quirks and quarrels through their native expressions. 'Coming the raw prawn' and 'Doing Someone a Bear Service' will stay with me for a long time. -- Lexicographer, Countdown * Susie Dent *
What larks! I take my hat off to them. They've got down to the nitty-gritty and delivered the goods.Be amazed - be very amazed. And enjoy. I did. * Gyles Brandreth *

Author Bio

Philip Gooden is author of the acclaimed Who's Whose and Faux Pas, has written several novels and taught English at secondary level for many years. Peter Lewis is an experienced reference publisher.