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The Little Book of Why We Say That: Why we say what we say: the rude, witty origins of British idioms and phrases.
Paperback
Series: The Little Book Series by Julie Pinborough: Words. Sayings. Slang. Traditions. Etymology - Filthy an
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ISBN13: 9781739171476
Publisher: Little Red Dog
Published: Jul 4 2025
Pages: 264
Weight: 0.58
Height: 0.55 Width: 5.00 Depth: 8.00
Language: English
A funny, fascinating look at the origin of English idioms - from battlefields to backstreets.
Why do we say 'bite the bullet, ' 'skeleton in the cupboard, ' or 'come a cropper'? Because English is brilliant, bloody, and just a little bit bizarre.
This little book digs up the sly, rude, and gloriously ridiculous stories behind everyday sayings. From the blood-soaked fields of medieval England to the smoky pubs of Victorian slang, you'll discover how ordinary words picked up scandal, sarcasm, and the occasional whiff of manure.
390 brilliantly British (and occasionally universal) sayings, each laid out with a Phrase, Definition, Origin, Backstory, and Modern Meaning.
Inside you'll find:
- Idioms born on battlefields and backstreets
- Dark little nuggets hidden in nursery rhymes
- Cheeky expressions you've used for years without knowing just how dodgy they are
Witty, sharp, and proudly British (with a nudge and a wink to the rest of the world), this is your passport to the grubby past of English idioms.
Perfect for word nerds, trivia fiends, history lovers, and anyone who wants to win their next pub quiz by explaining exactly why we paint the town red.
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