Delve into a collection that showcases a delightful blend of humor and creativity. Each piece invites readers to explore a vivid world filled with playful narratives and clever observations. The work celebrates the art of storytelling, offering a refreshing escape through its whimsical characters and enchanting scenarios. Perfect for those seeking a lighthearted yet thought-provoking experience, this gallery promises to inspire laughter and joy while highlighting the beauty of imagination.
Exploring the charm of archaic language, this collection features hundreds of forgotten words, their meanings, and whimsical illustrations. Readers will discover unique terms like "ale connor," who judged beer quality, and "beemaster," who communicated with bees about household events. Each entry includes literary examples from renowned authors such as Shakespeare and Dickens, making it both an entertaining and educational journey through the evolution of language. Ideal for word enthusiasts, it offers a delightful glimpse into the past.
Over the centuries, innumerable English words have drifted from their original purposes and acquired vastly different meanings - some subtle and others not so. Author Jeffrey Kacirk, a man intrigued by words, has sifted through mountains of discarded meanings to arrive at almost 1,500 entries in this fascinating romp through the ever-changing world of lexicography. As he puts it, his goal is to "leave the reader with a sense of where many modern usages may have come from, or in some cases have strayed, whether we choose to think of the changes as corruptions or improvements." Study the altered meanings in this erudite but fun book and you'll be able to "razzle-dazzle" (originally, a daylong drinking bout) your friends and acquaintances. So indulge your fancy for linguistic "escapades" (no longer the plunging and rearing of a horse). The mind-expanding enjoyment of exhuming these forgotten meanings will "manure" (to enrich the mind) your personal lexicon.
Puncture Ladies, Egg Harbors, Mississippi Marbles, and Other Curious Words and Phrases of North America
Delving into the richness of America's colloquial past, this collection features linguistic oddities sourced from various historical texts, dialect glossaries, and even nautical lexicons. It presents an engaging array of terms and expressions that reflect the evolution of informal English, providing both entertainment and insight into the cultural tapestry of the language. Each entry serves as a fascinating glimpse into the nuances of everyday speech, making it a delightful resource for language enthusiasts and history buffs alike.