A humorous and unusual collection of columns from the Saturday Telegraph.Frantic Semantics takes a witty look at the use and abuse of words in current English usage. What does 'It' mean in 'It-girl'? How has 'anorak', which used to be an item of clothing, come to be a form of abuse? How is 'babe' being used for men in the post-feminist age? Each entry looks at the history of the word, how it has changed and what it has come to mean.'Combining scholarly shrewdness with sheer good fun' - The Scotsman'Amusing and informative' ...
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A humorous and unusual collection of columns from the Saturday Telegraph.Frantic Semantics takes a witty look at the use and abuse of words in current English usage. What does 'It' mean in 'It-girl'? How has 'anorak', which used to be an item of clothing, come to be a form of abuse? How is 'babe' being used for men in the post-feminist age? Each entry looks at the history of the word, how it has changed and what it has come to mean.'Combining scholarly shrewdness with sheer good fun' - The Scotsman'Amusing and informative' - The Sunday Telegraph
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Add this copy of Frantic Semantics: Snapshots of Our Changing Language to cart. $5.04, good condition, Sold by Goldstone Books rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Ammanford, CARMS, UNITED KINGDOM, published 2000 by Pan Books.
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Good. All orders are dispatched within 1 working day from our UK warehouse. Established in 2004, we are dedicated to recycling unwanted books on behalf of a number of UK charities who benefit from added revenue through the sale of their books plus huge savings in waste disposal. No quibble refund if not completely satisfied.
Add this copy of Frantic Semantics: Snapshots of Our Changing Language to cart. $6.34, very good condition, Sold by Halcyon Books rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from LONDON, LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM, published 2000 by Pan Books.
Add this copy of Frantic Semantics: Snapshots of Our Changing Language to cart. $6.99, very good condition, Sold by Brit Books rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Milton Keynes, BUCKINGHAMSHIRE, UNITED KINGDOM, published 2000 by Pan Books.
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Very good. Simply Brit – welcome to our online used book store, where affordability meets great quality. Dive into a world of captivating reads without breaking the bank. We take pride in offering a wide selection of used books, from classics to hidden gems, ensuring there's something for every literary palate. All orders are shipped within 24 hours and our lightning fast-delivery within 48 hours coupled with our prompt customer service ensures a smooth journey from ordering to delivery. Discover the joy of reading with us, your trusted source for affordable books that do not compromise on quality.
Add this copy of Frantic Semantics: Snapshots of Our Changing Language to cart. $12.00, Sold by Chatt PublicLibraryFoundation rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Chattanooga, TN, UNITED STATES, published 2000 by Pan MacMillan.
Add this copy of Frantic Semantics: Snapshots of Our Changing Language to cart. $45.86, good condition, Sold by Bonita rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Newport Coast, CA, UNITED STATES, published 2000 by Pan MacMillan.
This is a delightful and timeless book - 'timeless' as it deals with many popular words or words in common usage on both sides of the Atlantic with different interpretations; with words that have evolved over time, shaking off old nuances and acquiring new meanings or connotations; and with words which have changed in meaning after the dotcom revolution. Even those with with only a passing interest in the English language should find it informative, educative or entertaining. One can dip into it occasionally, use it as a work of reference or read it for pure pleasure and enjoy the author's sense of humour which makes the book amusing as well. John Morrish couldn't have chosen a better title.
The book would make an excellent companion on flights or train journeys. It would also make a wonderful gift for anyone, young or old, whatever the occasion. In fact, it would probably make a useful occasional present when no special occasion is required, other than that one wishes to give it to someone who cares or is curious about English words and their origin and would appreciate knowing more about them. Incidentally, the author tells us how the meaning of 'gift' has changed over time and also the difference between a gift and a present in modern times.
