Common Phrases: And Where They Come From

by Myron Korach, John Mordock

Overview

In the tradition of Eats, Shoots & Leaves and Anguished English, Common Phrases is a fascinating guide to the origins of our language. Wonderful stories reveal the real meaning of Adam’s apple, nick of time, stool pigeon, armed to the teeth, raining cats and dogs, at sixes and sevens, dog days of summer, and scores of others. With nearly 35,000 copies sold, this classic begins a new life with a fresh package and a new audience for entertaining reference books.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781599213071
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	07/17/2008
Edition description:	Second Edition
Pages:	200
Sales rank:	639,279
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Myron Korach was born in 1901 and received a law degree from Case Western Reserve University Law School in 1929. While he attended law school, Korach taught immigrants to read and write, his first experience with their difficulties with idioms.
 
John Mordock, a psychologist by training, has published six books and numerous articles in professional journals. An avid fly fisherman, he has also published articles in outdoor magazines.

Table of Contents

Preface     iv
Hammer Out     vii
Big Daddies     1
Scrapes     20
Toothbrush Day     44
Cardinal Sins     66
Rigmarole     75
Handles     88
Grub     119
Spring Chicken     131
Top Banana     141
Kindred Spirits     154
To Make a Point     171
Index     183

Editorial Reviews

"Wordsmiths everywhere will be delighted."

—Publishers Weekly
 
 "Entertaining and enlightening."

—Library Journal

From the Publisher