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Why Do We Say It?: The Stories Behind the Words, Expressions, and Cliches We Use Hardcover – August 15, 2017

4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 555 ratings
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Why Do We Say It? uncovers the roots of the English language and connects them to their intriguing origins. From idioms to cliches, this comprehensive book shows you the way around the English language
 
The intriguing origins of hundreds of unusual words and expressions are here for your perusal, handily organized in an alphabetical format. Useful for reference or just for browsing, Why Do We Say It? is also a great way to expand your vocabulary and have fun while doing it.
 
This edition makes a wonderful gift for readers, writers, scholars, and students. Uncover the mysteries of the modern English language and share the facts and trivia with your family and friends.


 
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  1. Print length
    286 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Chartwell Books
  4. Publication date
    August 15, 2017
  5. Dimensions
    5.65 x 1.05 x 8.4 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0785835709
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0785835707
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Publishing and supplying books to wholesalers, mail order companies, and retail stores for over 60 years, Chartwell Books publishes across a wide range of subjects, including history, craft, home reference, puzzles and games, music, art instruction, transportation, and more.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Chartwell Books; Reissue edition (August 15, 2017)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 286 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0785835709
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0785835707
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 13.4 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.65 x 1.05 x 8.4 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 555 ratings

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Chartwell Books

Chartwell Books

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Chartwell Books publishes across a wide range of subjects, including history, craft, home reference, puzzles and games, music and music instruction, art instruction, transportation, and more.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
555 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book enjoyable and fun to read. They find the information interesting and enlightening, making it a great gift for trivia lovers or bibliophiles. Many consider it fabulous for the price. However, some readers feel the content lacks credibility and is not high-quality. There are mixed opinions on the information quality - some find it great for learning the origins of words and expressions, while others feel the descriptions are not helpful and lacking detail.

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ReadabilityInformation valueGift valueValue for moneyInformation qualityCredibility
95 customers mention "Readability"95 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy reading this book. They find it interesting and fun to have, making it a great coffee table book. Many readers say it's an excellent reference book for anyone interested in the meaning of language. It is also a terrific addition to their own library.

"...We also learned alot! This game produced lots of laughs, not only for the actual origin but from the creative "faked" answers that came..." Read more

"...This is also an excellent reference book for anyone interested in the meaning of various words and clichés we use every day...." Read more

"...He loves this book and refers to it frequently. I even bought one for myself, great to have around!" Read more

"...In spite of these things though the book has been a fun-read and will be a handy reference in the future. It's a keeper." Read more

93 customers mention "Information value"90 positive3 negative

Customers find the book provides interesting information and explanations about words and sayings. They appreciate the enlightening stories and find it useful as a reference for the future. The book offers some new expressions and origins, making it an enjoyable read and a nice addition to their collection.

"...This book is interesting and informative as it begins from A to Z. Beginning with why do we use “A-1” to mean the very best to the end why does “..." Read more

"...things though the book has been a fun-read and will be a handy reference in the future. It's a keeper." Read more

"This is a fun book to read and re-read. It has interesting information...." Read more

"What I have read so far is interesting though many of the "expressions and clichés" that are explained, I never heard of before...." Read more

17 customers mention "Gift value"17 positive0 negative

Customers find the book a good gift for trivia enthusiasts and bibliophiles. They say it's informative and a must-have for libraries.

"...I even bought one for myself, great to have around!" Read more

"...I think this would make a great present on any occasion for the hard to shop for person who likes to learn new things and how it came to be ........" Read more

"...Great for reading in small bits. Would make a great gift for trivia hounds, anyone with a linguistics passion, or even the casual cunning linguist." Read more

"As a writer, this is must-have-handy stuff...." Read more

7 customers mention "Value for money"7 positive0 negative

Customers like the book's value for money. Reviewers say it's a good purchase and fabulous for the price.

"...book for a bargain price on Amazon I just had to have it...." Read more

"My dad and I love these types of books-fabulous for the price!" Read more

"The price was right, (I bought it used) but the content was disappointing...." Read more

"this book was well worth the price with all the tidbits of info. sprinkled with folklore, history and reminders of what I heard as a child...." Read more

30 customers mention "Information quality"15 positive15 negative

Customers have different views on the book's information quality. Some find it a great source for learning the origins of words, expressions, and cliches. The historical aspect is appreciated, and the book is easy to reference. However, others feel the descriptions are not helpful, lack detail, and lack cleverness. They mention it contains too many obvious references and misses many more obscure ones.

"This an interesting read and easy to reference. But with a little more effort this could be a great book...." Read more

"...Even though this book is incomplete and dated to some degree; nevertheless, I learned so much from reading this book and anyone who loves knowledge..." Read more

"I love learning the origins of things. This is a great read." Read more

"Some of the descriptions are not that helpful as to why we say a certain expression or use a word...." Read more

7 customers mention "Credibility"0 positive7 negative

Customers find the book unreliable and lacking in credibility. They say the content is disappointing, not high-quality, and not to be trusted as an authoritative source. The writing lacks author's touch and is too brief.

"...book 'interesting' and 'informative', this book is not to be trusted as an authoritative source for any given information...." Read more

"The price was right, (I bought it used) but the content was disappointing...." Read more

"not high quality, but info was good" Read more

"...no nothing but a super brief attempt at word definition and pretty lame at that. Suitable as a bathroom reader I suppose." Read more

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Top reviews from the United States

  • Dennis W. Schulz
    5.0 out of 5 stars Educational, funny and can be made into a great game.....
    Reviewed in the United States on November 25, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    This is really a clever and interesting book. We were hosting a dinner gathering with 3 other couples. We have been friends for close to 40 years and all of us love to play games. Each host comes up with a game for our gatherings. However, we have gone through most of the games out there, some with success and some not worth the time or money. When I saw this book at a book store, an idea popped into my head. Turn the "origin of words and phrases" into a game. I did so in a battle of the sexes mode with men on one team and women on another....it was rather similar to balderdash. One person gave the correct origin while the other two gave a 'bluff" or "faked it". The opposite team tried to guess the true origin amd were awarded points for correct answers. The originator of the fake answer that were chose also received a couple of points. The person on each team with the highest points received a goofy prize. The people in our group love to try new things and we have been around each other long enough not to be hesitant to appear ridiculous. We also learned alot! This game produced lots of laughs, not only for the actual origin but from the creative "faked" answers that came up.
    In was difficult for me to narrow this down to 10 rounds (about an hour) as I became almost obssessed with the information. So every day I picked up the book and read through one letter of the alphabet.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Ron P.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining and educational
    Reviewed in the United States on July 29, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    I was an English major in college. Origins of words and phrases has always interested me.
    Helpful
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  • Joseph J. Truncale
    4.0 out of 5 stars A good basic reference source for anyone interested what is behind the many words, expressions and cliches we use.
    Reviewed in the United States on December 8, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    I have had a lifelong passion for quote books and anything to do with answer type of books. When I saw this intriguing 286 page hardcover (Why do we say it? The stories behind the words, expressions and clichés we use put out by Castle books) book for a bargain price on Amazon I just had to have it. This book is interesting and informative as it begins from A to Z. Beginning with why do we use “A-1” to mean the very best to the end why does “Zest” mean enthusiasm.

    This is also an excellent reference book for anyone interested in the meaning of various words and clichés we use every day. Writers will especially love this book as an important reference source. Even though this book is incomplete and dated to some degree; nevertheless, I learned so much from reading this book and anyone who loves knowledge will also find this book interesting. The following is just a very small sample (2) of what you will learn reading this book. Each section also includes a quiz to test your knowledge of the material covered.

    “How did an office assistant get the name of “clerk”? At one time only the clergy knew how to read or write-and so any person with this ability was assumed to be a “cleric.” From this the words “clerical” and cleric- soon shortened to “clerk” came to mean written work or one who performed such work.”
    “Why do we call a person who doesn’t enter into the spirit of a party a “wet blanket.” A “wet blanket” will smother a fire-and a person who can’t have fun at a party will have a similar effect.

    If you always wondered about where numerous words and clichés came from this book is for you. It will increase the sum total of your knowledge no matter how smart you may think you are. I personally loved this book and it is now on my desk as a reference source.
    Rating: 4 Stars. Joseph J. Truncale (Author: Zen poetry moments: Haiku and Senryu for special occasions).
    5 people found this helpful
    Helpful
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars fun trivia
    Reviewed in the United States on January 31, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    I bought this as a gift for a friend who speaks English very well but since English is not his native language he is always asking me to explain the meaning of various "sayings". He loves this book and refers to it frequently. I even bought one for myself, great to have around!
    One person found this helpful
    Helpful
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  • Rex Bittle
    3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting but could be better
    Reviewed in the United States on June 2, 2010
    Verified Purchase
    This an interesting read and easy to reference. But with a little more effort this could be a great book. A few of the "explanations" seem a little far fetched to me, but I won't make too big of a deal out of that. I just think some very obvious common words and phrases were left out. Maybe there were no good explanations found; but it makes the book feel incomplete. There are also a lot of obscure words and phrases that I had never heard of; it seemed to be focused on a British audience perhaps. In spite of these things though the book has been a fun-read and will be a handy reference in the future. It's a keeper.
    3 people found this helpful
    Helpful
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  • Ashleigh V.
    5.0 out of 5 stars My father in law loves it
    Reviewed in the United States on April 12, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    I bought this for my FIL for Christmas knowing that he loves to learn random bits of knowledge. TBH; it was the worst gift I've ever gotten anyone and not because it's uninteresting. My FIL can't stop telling the rest of us all the random knowledge he is acquiring by reading this book. So I gave it a 5 start review because he seems to enjoy the book but I'd definitely suggest not buying it if you are giving it to someone who tends to like to tell you everything they are reading and learning.
    6 people found this helpful
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  • joan r richardson
    5.0 out of 5 stars lots of fun information
    Reviewed in the United States on July 6, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    This is a fun book to read and re-read. It has interesting information. I gave one to a friend who enjoys understanding how we acquired different expressions. He has enjoyed this book, too.
    Helpful
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  • PizzaWombat
    4.0 out of 5 stars Knowledge!
    Reviewed in the United States on October 20, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I love learning the origins of things. This is a great read.
    Helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Maggie O
    5.0 out of 5 stars I already had a copy, but wanted another one ...
    Reviewed in Canada on March 2, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    I already had a copy, but wanted another one for a student who is still learning English and struggling with various idioms and expressions.
    Report
  • nikki
    5.0 out of 5 stars Intriguing
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 28, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Brilliant read and very interesting
    Report
  • 書斎
    5.0 out of 5 stars 手軽に利用できる英語の語源・句源辞典
    Reviewed in Japan on November 7, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    語源・句源辞典である。昔受験英語でDutch courage (酒の上の空元気)、Dutch reckoning (水増し請求）などの成句を覚えた。どうしてオランダはマイナスイメージの意味で使われるのだろうと不思議に思ったことを覚えている。その不思議が本書で解決した。かつて英国とオランダは外国貿易、制海権の面でライバル同士だった。ライバル関係になれば相手の悪口を言うのが世の習いである。その名残がDutch courage (reckoning, auction, bargain, concert, treat)というわけである。いくつかは英和辞典に残っているが、英語のネイティブスピーカーにきくと、political correctness (政治的妥当性)の観点からも、このような表現は実際に使うことはないだろうということだった。
    語源・句源辞典は数多く出版されている。そのなかでも本書は気軽に参照できる書である。
    Report
  • George A
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in Canada on May 22, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    An excellent book - Full of answers
    Report
  • V. E. Johnson
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 12, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Came on time,no problem, recommended
    Report