What in the Word?: Word Lore, Wordplay, and Answers to the Peskiest Questions about Language » (Reprint)

CHARLES HARRINGTON ELSTER is an author, broadcaster, and logophile-a lover of words. He is the author of seven books, and cohosts AWay with Words, a weekly talk show on language that airs on San Diego's KPBS-FM and Wisconsin Public Radio. He lives in San Diego.

Are you so sure about "assure," "ensure," and "insure" ? Can you determine whether a knob of butter is equivalent to a lump or a pat or a scosh? Can you say which word in the English language has the most definitions, or who put the H in Jesus H. Christ?

If you can't, be assured that Charles Harrington Elster, author of several well-loved works on language, can-and does in his latest book, a delightfully designed compendium of the most common, interesting, and entertaining conundrums in our language. Drawing upon esoteric sources and his own inimitable expertise, Elster uses a lively question-and-answer format to cover a variety of topics-word and phrase origins, slang, style, usage, punctuation, and pronunciation. Every chapter features original brainteasers, challenging puzzles, and a trove of literary trivia.

School Library Journal

Adult/High School-Each chapter of this enjoyable book features original brainteasers, challenging puzzles, and a trove of literary trivia. Readers will glean the meaning behind "pushing the envelope" and be informed that the phrase "happy as a clam" is an abbreviation of the simile "happy as a clam at high tide." Those looking for that perfect word to describe something unique will find it here. Elster uses a lively question-and-answer format to cover a variety of topics-word and phrase origins, slang, style, usage, punctuation, and pronunciation. Without an index, this volume is not an ideal reference work, but it makes for good casual reading.-Erin Dennington, Fairfax County Public Library, Chantilly, VA Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.