Red Herrings and White Elephants: The Origins of the Phrases We Use Every Day

by Albert Jack | Nonfiction |
ISBN: 0060843373 Global Overview for this book
Registered by veleta of Willesden, Greater London United Kingdom on 8/3/2015
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2 journalers for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by veleta from Willesden, Greater London United Kingdom on Monday, August 3, 2015
Probably the author only wrote this book. The story of the whys and whens is explained at the interesting introduction.

As he says, this list doesn't comprise everything, he just made a selection of expressions with interesting origins. Sometimes that is not clear-cut, but that's expected - Jack presents the options and lets the reader decide. I especially liked the story behind "jumping the shark". Two or three I already knew.

The short paragraphs explain each etymology well. The grouping and the last miscellaneous chapter distribute well. He explains the meaning and then goes onto the history of the expression.

If we are not fit to HOLD A CANDLE to somebody it means we are not in their league and should not be working in the same place. This phrase is traceable to the day when craftsmen would employ unskilled labour (usually children) to hold candles illuminating their work. Being told one wasn't fit to "hold the candle" was an insult indeed and usually used as a derogatory term to an inferior craftsman or street entertainer.

Journal Entry 2 by veleta at Camel & Artichoke in Waterloo, Greater London United Kingdom on Tuesday, August 4, 2015

Released 8 yrs ago (8/4/2015 UTC) at Camel & Artichoke in Waterloo, Greater London United Kingdom

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

Released this Tuesday.

Journal Entry 3 by WistfulDragon at Streatham, Greater London United Kingdom on Sunday, November 1, 2015
Not overly impressed by the book as I disagreed with some of the origins, but then I'm a non-scholastic pedant! I think my main problem was the putting of the sayings into categories, such as naval. Much more fun to dip that to read in one go! Unfortunately the book has suffered some water damage but being a hardback has survived pretty well.
Having thought of dipping rather than reading, I am upgrading my rating a bit, as it is a fun book and I did learn some things - for instance the origin of the word hobo.
You'll have to read the book to find out!

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