Port Out, Starboard Home

The Fascinating Stories We Tell About the words We Use

Nonfiction, Entertainment, Humour & Comedy, Jokes & Riddles, Reference & Language, Language Arts, Linguistics
Cover of the book Port Out, Starboard Home by Michael Quinion, Penguin Books Ltd
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Michael Quinion ISBN: 9780141909042
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd Publication: September 1, 2005
Imprint: Penguin Language: English
Author: Michael Quinion
ISBN: 9780141909042
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
Publication: September 1, 2005
Imprint: Penguin
Language: English

Can it really be true that 'golf' stands for 'Gentlemen Only Ladies Forbidden'? Or that 'rule of thumb' comes from an archaic legal principle that a man may chastise his wife, but only with a rod no thicker than his thumb?

These and hundreds of other stories are commonly told and retold whenever people meet. They grow up in part because expressions are often genuinely mysterious. Why, for example, are satisfying meals 'square' rather than any other shape? And how did anyone ever come up with the idea that if you're competent at something you can 'cut the mustard'?

Michael Quinion here retells many of the more bizarre tales, and explains their real origins where they're known. This is a fascinating treasure-trove of fiction and fact for anyone interested in language.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Can it really be true that 'golf' stands for 'Gentlemen Only Ladies Forbidden'? Or that 'rule of thumb' comes from an archaic legal principle that a man may chastise his wife, but only with a rod no thicker than his thumb?

These and hundreds of other stories are commonly told and retold whenever people meet. They grow up in part because expressions are often genuinely mysterious. Why, for example, are satisfying meals 'square' rather than any other shape? And how did anyone ever come up with the idea that if you're competent at something you can 'cut the mustard'?

Michael Quinion here retells many of the more bizarre tales, and explains their real origins where they're known. This is a fascinating treasure-trove of fiction and fact for anyone interested in language.

More books from Penguin Books Ltd

Cover of the book All The King's Men by Michael Quinion
Cover of the book Talking Turkeys by Michael Quinion
Cover of the book The Penguin History Of Latin America by Michael Quinion
Cover of the book Wizard Woody: Ladybird I'm Ready for Phonics Level 11 by Michael Quinion
Cover of the book Discourses and Selected Writings by Michael Quinion
Cover of the book The Age of Bede by Michael Quinion
Cover of the book The Sunjata Story by Michael Quinion
Cover of the book Tao Te Ching by Michael Quinion
Cover of the book The Robbers and Wallenstein by Michael Quinion
Cover of the book American Interior by Michael Quinion
Cover of the book Too Many Elephants in this House by Michael Quinion
Cover of the book Sketches by Boz by Michael Quinion
Cover of the book The Telling by Michael Quinion
Cover of the book Motorworld by Michael Quinion
Cover of the book The Jungle Books by Michael Quinion
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy