Why do good things cut the mustard? Who was the real Real McCoy? And why are false sentiments called crocodile tears? In this engaging exploration of language, Susie Dent draws from her popular television segment to address these intriguing questions and more. With her characteristic charm and erudition, Dent delves into 101 captivating inquiries about the English language, covering word origins, spelling, grammar, and usage. She examines the ancient roots of "tragedy," which originally meant "goat song" in Greek, alongside modern terms like "donk" from the Blackout Crew's song. The book is filled with captivating stories, such as the origin of "bankrupt," derived from the Italian "banca rotta," meaning "broken bench." This term traces back to the sixteenth century when money lenders operated outdoors on benches, leading to the modern concept of a "bank." Additionally, Dent recounts the origin of "white elephant," referring to a burdensome possession, which dates back to ancient Siam. There, rare white elephants were given to kings but could not be used for labor or riding, often becoming unwanted gifts to disfavored courtiers. Sparkling with linguistic insight, this delightful compendium is a must-read for anyone captivated by the quirks of language.
