Get Discount 5% Off
Subscribe to our newsletters now and stay up-to-date with new arrivals, updates and deals.
What Made the Crocodile Cry?: 101 Questions about the English Language
Why do good things cut the mustard? Who or what was the real Real McCoy? And why...
- BD$47.46 BMD
- BD$47.46 BMD
- Unit price
- per
SKU:
9780199574155
Product Type:
Books
Please hurry! Only 0 left in stock
10 customers are viewing this product
Couldn't load pickup availability
Why do good things cut the mustard? Who or what was the real Real McCoy? And why do we call false sentiment crocodile tears? Can crocodiles really cry?
In What Made the Crocodile Cry?, Susie Dent draws on her popular television segment on the curiosities of English to tackle these and many other fascinating puzzles. Writing with her customary charm and erudition, Dent offers a wonderfully readable and endlessly entertaining exploration of language, answering 101 of the most intriguing questions about the English language, from word origins and spelling to grammar and usage. Dent ranges far and wide in her search for the oddities of language, pondering the ancient origin of the word "tragedy" (which originally meant "goat song" in Greek) as well as the modern meaning of the word "donk" in the Blackout Crew's song title "Put a Donk in It." And throughout, the book brims with fascinating tales. Readers learn, for instance, that the word "bankrupt" comes from the Italian "banca rotta" or " broken bench" and the word "broke" (meaning "out of funds") has the same origin. Dent explains that in the sixteenth century, money lenders conducted their business on benches outdoors and the usual Italian word for "bench" was "banca" (hence today's "bank"). The author also provides an entertaining account of the origin of the term "white elephant" (meaning "a useless, burdensome possession") that dates back to ancient Siam, where rare white elephants were always given to the king. But since by law white elephants couldn't be worked (and earn money) or even be ridden, the king often re-gifted these worthless burdens to courtiers whom he didn't like.
Sparkling with insight and linguistic curiosity, this delightful compendium will be irresistible to anyone fascinated with language--the perfect gift for word lovers everywhere.
Author: Susie Dent
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
Published: 12/13/2009
Pages: 176
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.50lbs
Size: 7.60h x 5.00w x 0.70d
ISBN: 9780199574155
About the Author
Susie Dent is a writer and broadcaster, best known for being the regular face of Dictionary Corner on Channel 4 TV's Countdown. Her books include The Language Report (2003-2007) and Words of the Year (2008).
This title is only available via back order
In What Made the Crocodile Cry?, Susie Dent draws on her popular television segment on the curiosities of English to tackle these and many other fascinating puzzles. Writing with her customary charm and erudition, Dent offers a wonderfully readable and endlessly entertaining exploration of language, answering 101 of the most intriguing questions about the English language, from word origins and spelling to grammar and usage. Dent ranges far and wide in her search for the oddities of language, pondering the ancient origin of the word "tragedy" (which originally meant "goat song" in Greek) as well as the modern meaning of the word "donk" in the Blackout Crew's song title "Put a Donk in It." And throughout, the book brims with fascinating tales. Readers learn, for instance, that the word "bankrupt" comes from the Italian "banca rotta" or " broken bench" and the word "broke" (meaning "out of funds") has the same origin. Dent explains that in the sixteenth century, money lenders conducted their business on benches outdoors and the usual Italian word for "bench" was "banca" (hence today's "bank"). The author also provides an entertaining account of the origin of the term "white elephant" (meaning "a useless, burdensome possession") that dates back to ancient Siam, where rare white elephants were always given to the king. But since by law white elephants couldn't be worked (and earn money) or even be ridden, the king often re-gifted these worthless burdens to courtiers whom he didn't like.
Sparkling with insight and linguistic curiosity, this delightful compendium will be irresistible to anyone fascinated with language--the perfect gift for word lovers everywhere.
Author: Susie Dent
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
Published: 12/13/2009
Pages: 176
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.50lbs
Size: 7.60h x 5.00w x 0.70d
ISBN: 9780199574155
About the Author
Susie Dent is a writer and broadcaster, best known for being the regular face of Dictionary Corner on Channel 4 TV's Countdown. Her books include The Language Report (2003-2007) and Words of the Year (2008).
This title is only available via back order
Returns Policy
You may return most new, unopened items within 30 days of delivery for a full refund. We'll also pay the return shipping costs if the return is a result of our error (you received an incorrect or defective item, etc.).
You should expect to receive your refund within four weeks of giving your package to the return shipper, however, in many cases you will receive a refund more quickly. This time period includes the transit time for us to receive your return from the shipper (5 to 10 business days), the time it takes us to process your return once we receive it (3 to 5 business days), and the time it takes your bank to process our refund request (5 to 10 business days).
If you need to return an item, simply login to your account, view the order using the "Complete Orders" link under the My Account menu and click the Return Item(s) button. We'll notify you via e-mail of your refund once we've received and processed the returned item.
Shipping
We can ship to virtually any address in the world. Note that there are restrictions on some products, and some products cannot be shipped to international destinations.
When you place an order, we will estimate shipping and delivery dates for you based on the availability of your items and the shipping options you choose. Depending on the shipping provider you choose, shipping date estimates may appear on the shipping quotes page.
Please also note that the shipping rates for many items we sell are weight-based. The weight of any such item can be found on its detail page. To reflect the policies of the shipping companies we use, all weights will be rounded up to the next full pound.
Related Products
Example product title
- BD$47.46 BMD
- BD$47.46 BMD
- Unit price
- per
Example product title
- BD$47.46 BMD
- BD$47.46 BMD
- Unit price
- per
Example product title
- BD$47.46 BMD
- BD$47.46 BMD
- Unit price
- per
Example product title
- BD$47.46 BMD
- BD$47.46 BMD
- Unit price
- per
Example product title
- BD$47.46 BMD
- BD$47.46 BMD
- Unit price
- per
Example product title
- BD$47.46 BMD
- BD$47.46 BMD
- Unit price
- per
Example product title
- BD$47.46 BMD
- BD$47.46 BMD
- Unit price
- per
Example product title
- BD$47.46 BMD
- BD$47.46 BMD
- Unit price
- per
Example product title
- BD$47.46 BMD
- BD$47.46 BMD
- Unit price
- per
Example product title
- BD$47.46 BMD
- BD$47.46 BMD
- Unit price
- per
Recently Viewed Products
Example product title
- BD$47.46 BMD
- BD$47.46 BMD
- Unit price
- per
Example product title
- BD$47.46 BMD
- BD$47.46 BMD
- Unit price
- per
Example product title
- BD$47.46 BMD
- BD$47.46 BMD
- Unit price
- per
Example product title
- BD$47.46 BMD
- BD$47.46 BMD
- Unit price
- per
Example product title
- BD$47.46 BMD
- BD$47.46 BMD
- Unit price
- per
Example product title
- BD$47.46 BMD
- BD$47.46 BMD
- Unit price
- per
Example product title
- BD$47.46 BMD
- BD$47.46 BMD
- Unit price
- per
Example product title
- BD$47.46 BMD
- BD$47.46 BMD
- Unit price
- per
Example product title
- BD$47.46 BMD
- BD$47.46 BMD
- Unit price
- per
Example product title
- BD$47.46 BMD
- BD$47.46 BMD
- Unit price
- per
- Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh.