It's a Wonderful Word

Zusatztext

<p>Did you know that an<b>assassin</b>is a hashish-eater and a<b>yokel</b>a country woodpecker?</p><p>That Dr Mesmer<b>mesmerised</b>patients back to health or that Samuel Pepys enjoyed a good game of<b>handicap</b>?</p><p>While we're at it, what have<b>spondulics</b>to do with spines or lawyers with<b>avocados</b>?</p><p>In<i>It's a Wonderful Word</i>, bestselling author Albert Jack collects over 500 of the strangest, funniest-sounding and most delightful words in the English language, and traces them back to their often puzzling origins. While brushing up on your<b>gibberish</b>or<b>gobbledygook</b>, discover why<b>bastards</b>should resent travelling salesmen, why sheets should remain on<b>tenterhooks</b>and why you should never set down a<b>tumbler</b>before finishing your drink.</p><p>From<b>blotto</b>to<b>bamboozle</b>and from<b>claptrap</b>to<b>quango</b>, Albert Jack's addictive anecdotes bring the world's most colourful language to life and are guaranteed to surprise and entertain.</p>

Autorenportrait

<p>ALBERT JACK is a writer and historian. His first book,<i>Red Herrings and White Elephants</i>, explored the origins of well-known phrases; an international bestseller, it was serialised by the<i>Sunday Times</i>for over a year. He followed up this success with a series of bestsellers including<i>Shaggy Dogs and Black Sheep</i>and<i>Pop Goes the Weasel</i>, a book exploring the dark histories and little-known meanings behind nursery rhymes.</p><p>Fascinated by discovering the truth behind the world's great stories, Albert has become an expert in explaining the unexplained. He is now a veteran of hundreds of live television shows and thousands of radio appearances worldwide. He divides his time between Guildford and Cape Town.</p>

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