{"product_id":"what-in-the-word-wordplay-word-lore-and-answers-to-your-peskiest-questions-about-language-paperback","title":"What in the Word?: Wordplay, Word Lore, and Answers to Your Peskiest Questions about Language - Paperback","description":"\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cp style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/reportcopyrightinfringement.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eReport copyright infringement\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cp\u003eby \u003cb\u003eCharles Harrington Elster\u003c\/b\u003e (Author)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAre 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? \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e 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.\u003ch3\u003eBack Jacket\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eAre you so sure about the plural of \"octopus\" or the difference between \"i.e.\" and \"e.g.\"? Do you know which word in the English language has the most definitions, or who put the \u003ci\u003eH\u003c\/i\u003e in Jesus H. Christ? \u003cbr\u003eIf you don't, be assured that Charles Harrington Elster does, and he tells all in this entertaining collection of the most interesting conundrums in our language. Using esoteric sources and his own inimitable expertise, Elster covers a variety of topics including word and phrase origins, slang, style, usage, punctuation, and pronunciation. Every chapter features original brainteasers, challenging puzzles, and a trove of literary trivia, so be prepared to play while you read. \u003cbr\u003e\"Delightfully funny and informative. Every page is filled with amazing and amusing facts about our quirky language. The Wordbook of the Year!\"--Sol Steinmetz, coauthor of \u003ci\u003eMeshuggenary: Celebrating the World of Yiddish\u003c\/i\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\"This book is at once authoritative and lively. Elster knows how to have fun.\"--Bryan A. Garner, author of \u003ci\u003eGarner's Modern American Usage\u003c\/i\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\"A cornucopia of linguistic fun. Fill your horn!\"--Anu Garg, creator of wordsmith.org \u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eCharles Harrington Elster\u003c\/b\u003e is a writer, broadcaster, and logophile--a lover of words. He is the author of several books and has been a guest columnist on language for the \u003ci\u003eBoston Globe\u003c\/i\u003e and the \u003ci\u003eNew York Times Magazine.\u003c\/i\u003e He lives in San Diego.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of Pages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 304\u003c\/div\u003e\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.72 x 8 x 5.34 IN\u003c\/div\u003e\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublication Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e March 15, 2011\u003c\/div\u003e\n            ","brand":"BooksCloud","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52403162382641,"sku":"9780156031974","price":24.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0958\/3486\/5969\/files\/cWNLcXhodWxhdkFxemhhTUF5VThNQT09.webp?v=1768912604","url":"https:\/\/www.welibooks.com\/products\/what-in-the-word-wordplay-word-lore-and-answers-to-your-peskiest-questions-about-language-paperback","provider":"Welibooks","version":"1.0","type":"link"}