The Complete Idiot's Guide to Weird Word Origins


Book Description

What does it mean to 'chew the fat'? Why do we put things in 'apple-pie order'? And what on earth is a 'hat trick'? Readers will learn all this and more in this fun and engaging new addition to the Complete Idiot's Guide® series, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Weird Word Origins. This humorous book provides entertaining insight on the often metaphorical, always taken-for-granted phrases and expressions used every day. In it, language expert Paul McFedries takes readers through the sometimes surprising, always amusing world of weird words and expressions, and the fascinating stories that surround them. Presented in a fun, easy-to-read style, this book takes readers on a journey through the bizarre and eccentric origins that make up our everyday speech.







The Complete Idiot's Guide to Weird Word Origins


Book Description

Get ready to chew the fat. This engaging, humorous new book explains the not-so-common origins of such commonly used phrases as “apple-pie order,” “chew the fat,” and “hat trick.” Presented in a fun, easy-to-read style, it provides entertaining insight on metaphorical phrases, weird words, and strange expressions and takes readers on a journey through the bizarre and eccentric origins that make up our everyday speech. • Word books have gained in popularity not just with students and linguaphiles, but with a general population interested in the fascinating development of our language. • Contains back stories for 500 intriguing words and phrases. • Fun to flip through and also fun to read cover to cover.




Uncle John's Weird, Wonderful World Bathroom Reader


Book Description

Uncle John is back with the 36th annual Bathroom Reader, an all-new collection of entertaining articles that explore the weird and wonderful world we live in. In this 36th edition of Uncle John’s Bathroom Reader, longtime fans and new readers alike will be astounded by a treasure trove of wonderfully weird (and true!) stories that explore the realms of pop culture, history, sports, science, and everyday folks, including the always popular misadventures of dumb crooks. Uncle John and his team at the Bathroom Readers’ Institute have reached into all corners of the world to bring you this all-new collection of entertaining and informative articles that include short reads for a quick trip to the throne room as well as longer page-turners for when you take an extended visit. You’ll also find a plethora of amusing lists, odd factoids, quotes, and quizzes that will tickle every trivia enthusiast’s fancy.




The Complete Idiot's Guide to Comedy Writing


Book Description

You've always known writing comedy was about more than just being funny. But how do you create a joke and work it into a script or a stand-up routine? Comedian, writer, and teacher Jim Mendrinos has the answers. In The Complete Idiot s Guide to Comedy Writing, Mendrinos gives readers the principles he teaches in his popular courses, from understanding what funny is and how to find it, to how to actually construct comedy. Working through the basic constructions and forms including premises, points of view, and twists, he shows the variations of written, verbal, and physical comedy. With useful exercises, Mendrinos helps writers refine their writing, appeal to their audience, and even break writer's block by learning techniques for brainstorming, free association, lists, and finding infinite points of view.




The Fun and Easy Way to Achieve Total Stupidity


Book Description

A mind-numbing salute to the greatest cultural legacy of the late 20th century, this guide serves up a smorgasbord of today's leading morons and mouthbreathers: Jerry Springer, Kathie Lee Gifford, Spice Girls, Mike Tyson, and Dan Quayle. Illustrations.




The Complete Idiot's Guide to Intermediate French


Book Description

Provides instruction for englarging vocabulary, offer tips on improving pronunciation and translation and explores France's history and culture.




The Complete Idiot's Guide to Urban Legends


Book Description

A collection of modern-day urban myths and folklore explores questions relating to famous figures, government conspiracies, paranoia, revenge, chain letters, and humiliating experiences.




The Complete Idiot's Guide to Shakespeare


Book Description

Introduces Shakespeare's plays, sonnets, and narrative poems, and discusses major themes, characters, and dramatic techniques




The Complete Idiot's Guide Astrology Dictionary


Book Description

From Astrology to the Zodiac... The Complete Idiot's Guide® Astrology Dictionary gives readers over 1,500 entries on everything about astrology from A to Z, including everything they need to know to read their chart and make interpretations. ?Organized in two sections for quick and easy reference, providing readers with the meaning of the term or topic, then interpretations that can be applied for readers to learn more about themselves or others ?Tognetti is also the lead author of The Complete Idiot's Guide® to Astrology, Fourth Edition, The Complete Idiot's Guide® to Tarot, Second Edition, and The Complete Idiot's Guide® to Tarot Spreads.