Word Nerds Unite!

The Fascinating Stories Behind 200 Words and Phrases

Format

On Sale:
ISBN:
Pages: | Carton Qty:

On Sale: March 15, 2010
ISBN: 9781595552990
Pages: 368 | Carton Qty: 36

On Sale: October 10, 2023
ISBN: 9781400337989
Pages: 160

On Sale:
ISBN:

Why are spectacularly successful movies called blockbusters? Why does “putting your best foot forward” mean you hope to make a good impression? Why is rowdy and prankish behavior called horseplay and what does it have to do with the rarity of horses? Word Nerds Unite! shares 200 fascinating word meanings for fans of Wordle, Scrabble, and other word games.

You’ve probably used words or phrases like these without giving them a second thought. But you’ll be surprised and interested to discover the fascinating and sometimes curious origins to these fun sayings!

In Word Nerds Unite! you’ll find:

  • 200 quirky, interesting words, phrases, and colloquial terms
  • Backstory for these colorful sayings still used today
  • How some of our favorite expressions have evolved through the years

You’ll discover such fascinating word and phrase origins for:

  • handwriting on the wall
  • play for keeps
  • raining cats and dogs
  • break the ice
  • bull’s eye
  • and many more!

 

Word Nerds Unite! is perfect for word lovers, Wordle enthusiasts, homeschoolers, and anyone curious about the illuminating history of 200 words that pepper our everyday dialogue and how they gained contemporary use. Organized by subject, each chapter begins with a quote, an introductory paragraph, and a list of what you’ll discover!

Webb Garrison, formerly associate dean of Emory University and president of McKendree College, wrote more than 55 books, including Civil War Curiosities and Civil War Trivia and Fact Book. Before his death in 2000, Garrison lived in Lake Junaluska, North Carolina.

  • BISAC1: REF025000: REFERENCE / Word Lists
  • BISAC2: REF008000: REFERENCE / Dictionaries
  • BISAC3: REF023000: REFERENCE / Trivia
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