Interesting Stories about Curious Words: From Stealing Thunder to Red Herrings by Susie Dent

Interesting Stories about Curious Words: From Stealing Thunder to Red Herrings is written by Susie Dent. It is a non-fiction book about curious words and expressions in the English language.

Key details

• Author: Susie Dent
• Explores English-language words and phrases
• Focuses on “red herrings”, “cock and bull stories” and “nine-day wonders”
• Includes examples such as “stealing thunder” and “white elephant”

Synopsis

This book follows Susie Dent on an adventure through a selection of unusual and intriguing expressions in English. It looks at the stories behind phrases and asks where they come from, drawing on examples including “Sweet Fanny Adams”, “stealing thunder” and “chancing your arm”.

Along the way, it also considers the origins of sayings such as “licking into shape”, “pulling someone’s leg” and “vicious circles”, and explores why certain objects and ideas appear in everyday language.