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The Complete Idiot's Guide to Weird Word Origins

Author : Paul McFedries

Publisher : Penguin

Page : 260 pages

File Size : 31,49 MB

Release : 2008

Category : Language Arts & Disciplines

ISBN : 9781592577811

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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

Author : Paul McFedries

Publisher : Penguin

Page : 260 pages

File Size : 46,20 MB

Release : 2008-08-05

Category : Language Arts & Disciplines

ISBN : 1101217189

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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.



The Complete Idiot's Guide to Comedy Writing

Author : James Mendrinos

Publisher : Penguin

Page : 356 pages

File Size : 22,70 MB

Release : 2004

Category : Language Arts & Disciplines

ISBN : 9781592572311

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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 Complete Idiot's Guide to World War II

Author : Mitchell Geoffrey Bard

Publisher : Penguin

Page : 436 pages

File Size : 13,73 MB

Release : 2004

Category : History

ISBN : 9781592572045

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Book Description

WWII began in 1939 as a European conflict between Germany and an Anglo-French coalition but eventually widened to include most of the nations of the world. It ended in 1945, leaving a new world order dominated by the United States and the USSR. This book features updated and expanded coverage of the fateful D-Day invasion, a critical timeline of major WW II events, and a WW II timeline highlighting the crucial and most important events of the war. It will include details about major battles on land, in the air, and on the sea - starting with Hitler's rise to power and his goal of European conquest; to Japan's bombing of Pearl Harbour; to the decisive battles such as D-Day and the Battle of Midway, which turned the tides of the war toward the Allies.



Uncle John's Weird, Wonderful World Bathroom Reader

Author : Bathroom Readers' Institute

Publisher : Simon and Schuster

Page : 612 pages

File Size : 17,43 MB

Release : 2023-09-05

Category : Humor

ISBN : 1667205676

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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 Urban Legends

Author : Brandon Toropov

Publisher : Penguin

Page : 334 pages

File Size : 26,73 MB

Release : 2001

Category : Social Science

ISBN : 9780028640075

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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 Fun and Easy Way to Achieve Total Stupidity

Author : Thomas Dolt

Publisher :

Page : 0 pages

File Size : 42,76 MB

Release : 1999

Category : --For dummies

ISBN : 9781580081740

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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 a Smart Vocabulary

Author : Paul McFedries

Publisher : Penguin

Page : 392 pages

File Size : 14,58 MB

Release : 2001

Category : Language Arts & Disciplines

ISBN : 9780028639970

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Book Description

Defines over 1,000 words in subject areas such as people, computers, business, law, culture, and government, as well as foreign terms and new words.



The Complete Idiot's Guide to String Theory

Author : George Musser

Publisher : Penguin

Page : 372 pages

File Size : 41,97 MB

Release : 2008-07-01

Category : Science

ISBN : 1101029358

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Book Description

We’re living in the midst of a scientific revolution that’s captured the general public’s attention and imagination. The aim of this new revolution is to develop a “theory of everything”—a set of laws of physics that will explain all that can be explained, ranging from the tiniest subatomic particle to the universe as a whole. Here, readers will learn the ideas behind the theories, and their effects upon our world, our civilization, and ourselves. The Complete Idiot’s Guide® String Theory explains how this exciting idea holds up against competing theories. In this Complete Idiot’s Guide®, you get: • Clear explanation of quantum mechanics, Einstein’s theories of relativity, and how string theory unites them. • A quick, easy-to-understand overview of competing theories and how they might be tested. • Fast facts about black holes, what’s inside them, how they’re made, and why they’re so paradoxical. • Simple, smart tips to help you visualize extra dimensions.