Strange Bedfellows
Strange Bedfellows
The Private Lives of Words
by Howard Richler
$19.95
- APRIL 2010
- ISBN: 978-1-55380-100-9
- 6 x 9
- 164 pp trade paper
The bawdy English language has never been overly concerned with purity, and this promiscuous proclivity has contributed to many alluring word histories. Richler combines his etymological talents with those of the muck-raking journalist to expose the louche baggage that many words have accumulated throughout the centuries.
When reading Strange Bedfellows: The Private Lives of Words expect to learn the unexpected truth about the past lives of many words. You will discover why gossiping in church is etymologically proper and that words such as “avocado” and “porcelain” have past associations with some of the nether regions of the body that have been conveniently forgotten by the lovers of fruit and fine china.
As Richler reveals, the English language has slept around for centuries and in the process has been seduced by many foreign influences. Composed of short chapters with each containing ten words from specific fields, Strange Bedfellows will surprise and delight the reader.
Other Ronsdale books by Howard Richler:
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REVIEWS and MEDIA
“An etymological delight.”
— Concordia University Magazine
“One of the more delightful books to hit my desk this season. . . . It’s a fascinating, informative, and engrossing book on a great number of words, their origin, original meaning, and for some of them, where the English language has stolen them from. It’s also often amusing, and I find myself still—weeks after getting the book—dipping into it.”
— Joseph Planta, thecommentary.ca
“Word nerds rejoice! Howard Richler delivers another riotously funny and informative text. . . .Grade-A cocktail party conversation material.”
— Telegraph-Journal
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