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The Complete Idiot's Guide to Weird Word Origins

Over 500 Strange Stories of the World’s Oddest Words and Phrases

Author Paul McFedries
Ebook
DK. | DK
On sale Aug 05, 2008 | 336 Pages | 9781101217184
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Get ready to chew the fat.

This engaging, humorous new book explains the not-so-common origins of such commonly used phrases as “apple-pie order,” “chew the fat,” and “hat trick.” Presented in a fun, easy-to-read style, it provides entertaining insight on metaphorical phrases, weird words, and strange expressions and takes readers on a journey through the bizarre and eccentric origins that make up our everyday speech.

• Word books have gained in popularity not just with students and linguaphiles, but with a general population interested in the fascinating development of our language.
• Contains back stories for 500 intriguing words and phrases.
• Fun to flip through and also fun to read cover to cover.
PAUL McFEDRIES has worked with (yelled at, and kicked) computers since 1975, yet still manages to keep his sanity intact. The author of more than three dozen computer books, including The Complete Idiot’s Guide® to Windows 98, The Complete Idiot’s Guide® to Windows Me, and The Complete Idiot’s Guide® to Windows 2000 Professional, Paul’s titles have sold over two million copies worldwide. View titles by Paul McFedries

About

Get ready to chew the fat.

This engaging, humorous new book explains the not-so-common origins of such commonly used phrases as “apple-pie order,” “chew the fat,” and “hat trick.” Presented in a fun, easy-to-read style, it provides entertaining insight on metaphorical phrases, weird words, and strange expressions and takes readers on a journey through the bizarre and eccentric origins that make up our everyday speech.

• Word books have gained in popularity not just with students and linguaphiles, but with a general population interested in the fascinating development of our language.
• Contains back stories for 500 intriguing words and phrases.
• Fun to flip through and also fun to read cover to cover.

Author

PAUL McFEDRIES has worked with (yelled at, and kicked) computers since 1975, yet still manages to keep his sanity intact. The author of more than three dozen computer books, including The Complete Idiot’s Guide® to Windows 98, The Complete Idiot’s Guide® to Windows Me, and The Complete Idiot’s Guide® to Windows 2000 Professional, Paul’s titles have sold over two million copies worldwide. View titles by Paul McFedries

Other Books by this Author

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