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Port Out, Starboard Home Michael Quinion

Port Out, Starboard Home By Michael Quinion

Port Out, Starboard Home by Michael Quinion


£3.50
New RRP £12.99
Condition - Very Good
<20 in stock

Summary

In this entertaining and fascinating new book on the origins of words and expressions, Michael Quinion offers explanations of why and how stories about words are created, and how misunderstanding word origins - while usually harmless - can have serious consequences.

Port Out, Starboard Home Summary

Port Out, Starboard Home: and other language myths by Michael Quinion

What is the true origin of the phrase 'one fell swoop'? Does the word 'honeymoon' really derive from an old Persian custom of giving the happy couple mead, a honey wine, for the first month after the wedding? The rapid growth of the internet and the use of email has increased the circulation of (usually) false tales about the evolution of language. In this entertaining and fascinating new book on the origins of words and expressions, Michael Quinion retells the mythic tales that have become popular currency - the word 'posh' deriving from 'port out, starboard home' - and also tries to find and explain the true stories behind the origins of phrases. Quinion offers explanations of why and how stories about words are created, and how misunderstanding word origins - while usually harmless - can have serious consequences.

Port Out, Starboard Home Reviews

Michael Quinion's World Wide Words is the web authority on English etymology (word origins) and usage-come here for definitive information on some of the most interesting, amusing and downright weird words and phrases in the English language. [Cambridge Dictionaries Online web site (February 2003).]
Michael Quinion's World Wide Words is the web authority on English etymology (word origins) and usage-come here for definitive information on some of the most interesting, amusing and downright weird words and phrases in the English language. [Cambridge Dictionaries Online web site (February 2003).]

About Michael Quinion

Michael Quinion has contributed to the Oxford Dictionary of New Words (2nd edition), edited the weekly Daily Telegraph new words column, and is author of a dictionary of affixes, Ologies and Isms (OUP). Since 1996 he has produced the weekly e-newsletter World Wide Words, which has an associated website. He lives in Bristol.

Additional information

GOR000377038
9780140515343
0140515348
Port Out, Starboard Home: and other language myths by Michael Quinion
Used - Very Good
Hardback
Penguin Books Ltd
20040701
304
N/A
Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.
This is a used book - there is no escaping the fact it has been read by someone else and it will show signs of wear and previous use. Overall we expect it to be in very good condition, but if you are not entirely satisfied please get in touch with us

Customer Reviews - Port Out, Starboard Home