Open Daily: 10am - 10pm | Alley door pickup 10am - 7pm 3038 Hennepin Ave Minneapolis, MN
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  • Open Daily: 10am - 10pm
    Alley-side Pickup: 10am - 7pm

    3038 Hennepin Ave Minneapolis, MN
    612-822-4611

Open Daily: 10am - 10pm | Alley-side Pickup: 10am - 7pm
3038 Hennepin Ave Minneapolis, MN
612-822-4611
How to Speak Brit: The Quintessential Guide to the King's English, Cockney Slang, and Other Flummoxing British Phrases

How to Speak Brit: The Quintessential Guide to the King's English, Cockney Slang, and Other Flummoxing British Phrases

Moore, Christopher J.

Hardcover

EtymologyLinguistics

Currently unavailable to order

ISBN10: 1592408982
ISBN13: 9781592408986
Publisher: Avery Publishing Group
Published: Sep 11 2014
Pages: 128
Weight: 0.55
Height: 0.70 Width: 5.40 Depth: 7.60
Language: English
The quintessential A to Z guide to British English--perfect for every egghead and bluestocking looking to conquer the language barrier

Oscar Wilde once said the Brits have everything in common with America nowadays except, of course, language.

Any visitor to Old Blighty can sympathize with Mr. Wilde. After all, even fluent English speakers can be at sixes and sevens when told to pick up the dog and bone or head to the loo, so they can spend a penny. Wherever did these peculiar expressions come from?

British author Christopher J. Moore made a name for himself on this side of the pond with the sleeper success of his previous book, In Other Words. Now, Moore draws on history, literature, pop culture, and his own heritage to explore the phrases that most embody the British character. He traces the linguistic influence of writers from Chaucer to Shakespeare and Dickens to Wodehouse, and unravels the complexity Brits manage to imbue in seemingly innocuous phrases like All right. Along the way, Moore reveals the uniquely British origins of some of the English language's more curious sayings. For example: Who is Bob and how did he become your uncle? Why do we refer to powerless politicians as lame ducks? How did posh become such a stylish word?

Part language guide, part cultural study, How to Speak Brit is the perfect addition to every Anglophile's library and an entertaining primer that will charm the linguistic-minded legions.

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