Search Results: Returned 14 Results, Displaying Titles 1 - 14
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2013., Adult, Ronsdale Press Call No: QWF 422 R498h Availability:1 of 1 At Your Library Summary Note: "Whats the difference between a good girl and a nice girl? Answer: The good girl goes to a party, goes home, then goes to bed, whereas the nice girl goes to the party, goes to bed, then goes home. While we think of nice nowadays as being a synonym for pleasant it was not always so; originally the words meaning conveyed the naughtiness implied in the joke. It was not until the middle of the 18th century that nice conveyed the sense of pleasantness that we now associate with the word. In this book Richler educates and entertains us while explaining how words such as nice and gay have changed meanings. Surprisingly, we discover that even many of our nouns and verbs have been in a constant state of flux. This morphing of meanings is ever-present, and Richler explains how, even in the last few years, words have been quietly reversing their meanings. So whether you are gay (happy), gay homosexual) or a melancholy heterosexual, Richler will lead you into a word world of entertaining change"--Provided by publisher.
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By Bryson, Billc1990., W. Morrow Call No: 420.9 B916m Edition: 1st ed. Availability:1 of 1 At Your Library
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c2008., Gotham Books Call No: 420.9 M177o Availability:1 of 1 At Your LibraryClick here to watch Click here to view Summary Note: Why do we say "I am reading a catalog" instead of "I read a catalog"? Why do we say "do" at all? Is the way we speak a reflection of our cultural values? Delving into these provocative topics and more, author McWhorter distills hundreds of years of lore into one lively history. Covering the little-known Celtic and Welsh influences on English, the impact of the Viking raids and the Norman Conquest, and the Germanic invasions that started it all during the fifth century AD, and drawing on genetic and linguistic research as well as a cache of trivia about the origins of English words and syntax patterns, McWhorter ultimately demonstrates the arbitrary, maddening nature of English--and its ironic simplicity, due to its role as a streamlined lingua franca during the early formation of Britain. This is the book that language aficionados have been waiting for.--From publisher description.
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c1998., HarperCollins Publishers Call No: 423 W759p Edition: 1st ed. Availability:1 of 1 At Your Library
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2007., Bantam Dell Call No: 421.52 E78s Availability:1 of 1 At Your LibraryClick here to watch Click here to view More...
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2018., Simon & Schuster Canada Call No: QWF 428 A152w Availability:1 of 1 At Your Library Summary Note: Do you ever wonder why you shouldn't have a cow but you should seize a bull by its horns? Who has the better reputation in language--cats or dogs? Do you sometimes feel that our speech is all smoke and mirrors or that our expressions simply make no sense? In Watch Your Tongue, award-winning author Mark Abley explores the phrases, idioms, and clichés of our everyday language. With wit and subtle wisdom, he unravels the mysteries of these expressions, illuminating the history, tradition and stories behind everything we say. Pulling examples from Shakespeare's plays to sports team names, ancient Rome to Twitter, Abley shares samples and anecdotes of the eccentric ways that we play with, parse, and pattern language. Why do so many companies use fruit for their brand names? What do politicians mean when they say they're going to "drain the swamp"? Why does English use chickens to signify cowardice? Abley dives into the history and psychology behind these examples and countless others, unpacking their significance (and sheer absurdity) to show how our language developed, where it is headed, and what we can learn about ourselves from it. Whimsically illustrated, easily browsable, and full of catchy sidebars, Watch Your Tongue celebrates how we amuse ourselves with words and what our sayings reveal about the way we see the world.
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2016., Ronsdale Press Call No: QWF 422 R498w Availability:1 of 1 At Your Library Summary Note: To some extent, everyone plays with language and uses it as a form of recreation as well as a means of communication. Recognizing that the creation of true wit is a subjective endeavour, Richler suggests that the commission of language wit occurs not only wittingly, but also unwittingly and sometimes even half-wittedly. When we consciously manipulate language for the purpose of wit, Richler designates this process arranged wit, and because sometimes the humour seemingly emanates from the mind of a nitwit rather than a wit, Richler designates this deranged wit. Moreover, what appears to be deranged can be actually artfully arranged, or as Polonius might say, there is much method to the madness. Join Richler in Wordplay as he highlights the most whimsical English language writers throughout the ages and analyzes what constitutes both arranged and deranged wit. Prepare for giggles aplenty, and even belly laughs.
