Spilling the Beans on the Cat's Pyjamas


Book Description

Spilling the Beans on the Cat's Pyjamas provides us with the meanings of our well-worn and much-loved phrases by putting these linguistic quirks in context, and explaining how and why they were first used.







Humble Pie and Cold Turkey


Book Description

An entertaining and informative look at thousands of years of history to shed light on the words and phrases we use most often - and where they came from.




Geeky LEGO Crafts


Book Description

Indulge your love for LEGO® by making the challenging, quirky, and occasionally practical designs in Geeky LEGO Crafts. Follow the step-by-step instructions to build handy bookends, geeky coasters, a stylish wine rack, adorable pencil holders, and much more.




One for Sorrow


Book Description

This charming book is filled with sayings, legends and proverbs derived from the oral history of the countryside and unveils how they came about, what they mean, and how they came to be such a big part of the language we use today.




Excuse My French: Fluent Français without the faux pas


Book Description

Life together in a bi-lingual relationship for Rachel and Jean-Christophe created many amusing miscomprehensions and often sheer bewilderment. How do you translate, 'Don't beat around the bush' and why does 'to be left high and dry' in English, become 'rester en carafe' in French? Excuse My French! is their solution to all this conversational confusion. The book comprises of 700 expressions in English and in French, divided into 12 chapters, which cover all the essential topics in life - including food and drink, money, business work and sex. It presents the essential idioms and metaphors of the 'other' language in a fresh, light-hearted way that won't make you feel like you're back in a classroom. Packed with quizzes, glossaries and interesting detail on the historical contexts for how phrases were coined, and illustrated throughout with line drawings, it will improve language skills and promote the Entente Cordiale between tourists, students and business associates, as well as encourage relationships to blossom between les Gaulois et les Rosbifs all over the world!




The Cat's Pyjamas


Book Description

A fascinating, thematic exploration of clichés from as the actress said to the bishop to zero hour, explaining what they are and where they’ve come from. Julia Cresswell has taken her best-selling dictionary of clichés (‘Sumptuous... A mine of information.’ Guardian) back to the drawing board and has created a book, packed with famous (and infamous) quotations and memorable information, that will change the way you see English.




Lost in Translation


Book Description

Lost in Translation: Misadventures in English Abroad affectionately demonstrates the very best - and worst - instances of genuine grammar-gargling from around the world.




I Before E (Except After C)


Book Description

I Before E is the definitive guide to help you to un-jumble your mind and improve your ability to recall names, dates, facts, figures and events, and contains all the mnemonics you'll ever need to know.




The Cat's Pyjamas


Book Description