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Thereby Hangs a Tale

Charles Earle Funk

3.8/5 ( ratings)

From “mad as a wet hen” to “corn dodger” and “hobgoblin,” Charles Funk’s collections of curious words and expressions are a treasure trove of word origin.

In a language where hearse and rehearse have the same root and the word dunce comes from a great philosopher, English has hundreds of everyday words that originated or acquired their meanings in unusual ways. Dictionaries don’t have the space to tell us all the mysteries but now Dr. Funk, with humor and insight, tells us the strange and intriguing stories of hundreds of words and how they came to be a part of our language.

Language: English

Pages: 320

Format: Paperback

Publisher: Harper Paperbacks

Release: November 18, 1993

ISBN: 006272049X

ISBN 13: 9780062720498

Thereby Hangs a Tale

Charles Earle Funk

3.8/5 ( ratings)

From “mad as a wet hen” to “corn dodger” and “hobgoblin,” Charles Funk’s collections of curious words and expressions are a treasure trove of word origin.

In a language where hearse and rehearse have the same root and the word dunce comes from a great philosopher, English has hundreds of everyday words that originated or acquired their meanings in unusual ways. Dictionaries don’t have the space to tell us all the mysteries but now Dr. Funk, with humor and insight, tells us the strange and intriguing stories of hundreds of words and how they came to be a part of our language.

Language: English

Pages: 320

Format: Paperback

Publisher: Harper Paperbacks

Release: November 18, 1993

ISBN: 006272049X

ISBN 13: 9780062720498

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