Unravel the meaning, origin, and usage of over 6,000 phrases from book and film titles, idioms and cliches, to nicknames, slogans and quotations with this modern and entertaining guide to wonderful phrases by one of the world’s best-known wordsmiths.
The ideal replacement or complement to that tatty old copy of Brewer's Phrase and Fable most of us have about the house, A Word in Your Shell-Like is an entertaining look at both familiar and unfamiliar phrases by one of the key world authorities in English language reference. The articles also contain discussion of meaning, origin and usage.
Who was originally 'sold down the river'? Have you been told to 'Naff off'? Find out of whom it was said 'he couldn't chew gum and fart at the same time', who the 'catcher in the rye' was, and what it means to be 'caught between wind and water'. Few other word reference books are likely to increase your store of knowledge with such fun.
Reviews
‘Nigel Rees should put a 'feather in his cap' for compiling this entertaining guide. It would make a wonderful gift for anyone who likes to dabble in our language's rich heritage – “just what the doctor ordered”!’
Best of British
‘A treasury of stimulating excursions and digressions’ Guardian
About the author
Nigel Rees is a leading authority on the use of well-known phrases and sayings. As a broadcaster, he is best-known as the deviser and presenter of BBC Radio's Quote…Unquote.
As an author, he has written many books devoted to quotations and aspects of the popular use of the English language, always emphasizing the humour in his subject.
