Cheerio Tom, Dick, and Harry [electronic resource] : despatches from the hospice of fading words

Part Title -- Title Page -- Dedication -- Contents -- Acknowledgements -- 1. The hospice -- PART I: AS THE PACE QUICKENS -- 2. Cheerio -- 3. Peopled phrases -- 4. Darn -- 5. Tinker -- 6. Hobby -- 7. Steady -- PART II: OLD WAYS, OLD LANGUAGE -- 8. Jalopy -- 9. Handkerchief -- 10. Hats -- 11. Mercers -- 12. Nongs and yobbos -- PART III: QUAINTERIES ESCHEWED -- 13. Waxing lyrical -- 14. Fixed rejoiners -- 15. Doubling up -- 16. As Easy as -- 17. Useful tits -- 18. Cockney code -- 19. Odds and sods -- PART IV: VICTIMS OF MODERN CANDOUR -- 20. Nudge nudge -- 21. The fall -- 22. Oblique.;'Wajnryb is the grammarian you always wanted: wise, wearing her erudition lightly and enlivening it with sly humour.' Kirkus Reviews Ruth Wajnryb embarks on a voyage of discovery among the words that once peppered the language of baby boomers and their parents to discover why they seem to be slipping from common use. Why is it that people don't say 'cheerio' any more, and, come to think of it, why did they in the first place? Do people still tinker with jalopies? And whatever happened to Tom, Dick and Harry, not to mention all those other folk who provided us with such excellent conversat. A meticulously researched, highly entertaining, idiosyncratic look at the how, why and what of bad language around the world.Have we always sworn like troopers? Has creative cursing developed simply because we can't thump someone when they make us mad? And if verbal aggression is universal, why is it that some languages (Japanese for instance) supposedly have no offensive words?Language once reserved for the footy field---or the labour ward---has broken through the tradesman's entrance, much to the horror of a few refined individuals, but seemingly not anyone much else. Ruth Wajnryb takes an entertaining look at how this came about, and at the origins of some of our more colourful words and phrases. Stepping outside the confines of English, Wajnryb explores whether bad'words are mirrored in other languages, and the cultural differences that exist when it comes to giving offence. Why is it that in some countries you can get away with intimating that a person and their camel are more than just good friends, while pouring scorn on their mother's morals guarantees you a seat on the next flight out?An amusing and idiosyncratic look at the power of words to shock, offend, insult, amuse, exaggerate, let off steam, and communicate deep-felt emotions, Language Most Foul is a must-read for anyone who loves language---or has ever stubbed their toe. Ruth Wajnryb has gone where almost no linguist before her has dared to go This well-researched study of foul language is simply fascinating. Written with great humour, it is full of interesting history and funny anecdotes. Giving examples here is not possible without using four-letter words, so just buy the f.ing book.'The Age A classy drive through the streets and byways of swearing Wajnryb is the grammarian you always wanted: wise, wearing her erudition lightly and enlivening it with sly humour.'Kirkus Reviews Part Title......Page 1 Title Page......Page 3 Dedication......Page 5 Contents......Page 7 Acknowledgements......Page 9 1. The hospice......Page 11 PART I: AS THE PACE QUICKENS......Page 17 2. Cheerio......Page 19 3. Peopled phrases......Page 24 4. Darn......Page 29 5. Tinker......Page 33 6. Hobby......Page 39 7. Steady......Page 45 PART II: OLD WAYS, OLD LANGUAGE......Page 49 8. Jalopy......Page 51 9. Handkerchief......Page 56 10. Hats......Page 61 11. Mercers......Page 67 12. Nongs and yobbos......Page 71 PART III: QUAINTERIES ESCHEWED......Page 79 13. Waxing lyrical......Page 81 14. Fixed rejoiners......Page 92 15. Doubling up......Page 100 16. As Easy as......Page 104 17. Useful tits......Page 111 18. Cockney code......Page 115 19. Odds and sods......Page 120 PART IV: VICTIMS OF MODERN CANDOUR......Page 125 20. Nudge nudge......Page 127 21. The fall......Page 133 22. Oblique......Page 143 23. Consumtion, hysteria, ticker and coming out......Page 152 24. Black dog......Page 163 25. Bad......Page 169 PART V: A NEW CENTURY WITH ITS OWN SENSIBILITIES......Page 173 26. Body bits......Page 175 27. Mad......Page 183 28. Stupid......Page 190 29. Ought......Page 196 30. Honey......Page 203 31. Fortitude......Page 213 32. Modesty......Page 221 PART VI: THE PAST IS DEAD, LONG LIVE THE FUTURE......Page 231 33. Doing food......Page 233 34. Historical artifacts......Page 244 35. Dog days......Page 254 36. Retronyms......Page 260 Epilogue......Page 265 Notes......Page 269 References......Page 277 Also by the author......Page 281 From wordmeister Ruth Wajnryb, a witty and thought provoking examination of the words that once peppered our language but are now fading from use. Wajnryb is the grammarian you always wanted: wise, wearing her erudition lightly and enlivening it with sly humour.' Kirkus Reviews Ruth Wajnryb embarks on a voyage of discovery among the words that once peppered the language of baby boomers and their parents to discover why they seem to be slipping from common use. Why is it that people don't say cheerio' any more, and, come to think of it, why did they in the first place? Do people still tinker with jalopies? And whatever happened to Tom, Dick and Harry, not to mention all those other folk who provided us with such excellent conversational shorthand? Filled with entertaining vignettes and intriguing etymology, Ruth has created an imaginary hospice that offers a caring refuge for pre-loved words that are in imminent danger of being dismissed as obs' (for obsolete') or arch' (for archaic') in English dictionaries. Written with Ruth Wajnryb's characteristic intelligence, sly wit and lan, Cheerio Tom, Dick and Harry examines the way in which our everyday language reflects and gives expression to the enormous changes that have taken place in our physical and social landscape over the last fifty years or so. Wajnryb is the grammarian you always wanted: wise, wearing her erudition lightly and enlivening it with sly humour.'

Kirkus Reviews

Ruth Wajnryb embarks on a voyage of discovery among the words that once peppered the language of baby boomers and their parents to discover why they seem to be slipping from common use. Why is it that people don't say cheerio' any more, and, come to think of it, why did they in the first place? Do people still tinker with jalopies? And whatever happened to Tom, Dick and Harry, not to mention all those other folk who provided us with such excellent conversational shorthand? Filled with entertaining vignettes and intriguing etymology, Ruth has created an imaginary hospice that offers a caring refuge for pre-loved words that are in imminent danger of being dismissed as obs' (for

obsolete') or arch' (for archaic') in English dictionaries.

Written with Ruth Wajnryb's characteristic intelligence, sly wit and lan, Cheerio Tom, Dick and Harry examines the way in which our everyday language reflects and gives expression to the enormous changes that have taken place in our physical and social landscape over the last fifty years or so. "Ruth Wajnryb embarks on a voyage of discovery among the words that once peppered the language of baby boomers and their parents to discover why they seem to be slipping from common use. Why is it that people don't say 'cheerio' any more, and, come to think of it, why did they in the first place? Do people still tinker with jalopies? And whatever happened to Tom, Dick and Harry, not to mention all those other folk who provided us with such excellent conversational shorthand? Filled with entertaining vignettes and intriguing etymology, Ruth has created an imaginary hospice that offers a caring refuge for pre-loved words in imminent danger of being dismissed as 'obs.' (for 'obsolete') or 'arch.' (for 'archaic') in English dictionaries." "Written with Ruth Wajnryb's characteristic intelligence, sly wit and elan, Cheerio Tom, Dick and Harry examines the way in which our everyday language reflects and gives expression to the enormous changes that have taken place in our physical and social landscape over the last fifty years or so."--BOOK JACKET. Written with charm and quaint wit, this study embarks on a voyage of discovery among the words that once peppered the language of baby boomers and their parents to discover why they seem to be slipping from common use. Why is it that people don't say cheerio any more? Why did they in the first place? Do people still tinker with jalopies? And whatever happened to Tom, Dick, and Harry, not to mention all those other folk who provided such excellent conversational shorthand? Filled with entertaining vignettes and intriguing etymology, this collection is a hospice that offers a caring refuge for once-loved words that are in imminent danger of being dismissed as tom-foolery. In "The English," Jeremy Paxman sets out to find out about the English. Not the British overall, not the Scots, not the Irish or Welsh, but the English. A book on what constitutes Englishness, and what are considered the essential characteristics and values. Using literary sources and interviews, he attempts to define how Englishness has changed over this century, and what it is now both in our own and outsiders views. Covering history, attitudes to foreigners, sport, stereotypes, language and much, much more, "The English" brims over with stories and anecdotes that provide a fascinating portrait of a nation and its people. 'as Good And As Funny A Description Of The Current State Of Our Race As You Will Find Anywhere.' Henry Porter, Guardian 'he Tos And Fros Between Sources As Various As Brief Encounter And Mrs Miniver - Through Byways Which Include A Jewel Of An Encounter Between Bernie Grant Mp And The Duke Of Edinburgh, A Brilliant Analysis Of The Church Of England And Dostoevsky's Impressions Of 19th-century London... It Is Hard To Think Of Anyone Better Than Jeremy Paxman To Shove The English In The Right Direction.' Carmen Callil, Daily Telegraph 'stimulating, Adventurous And Witty.' The Times Light Blue for big ideas Green for mystery Orange for fantastic fiction Pink for distant lands Dark Blue for real lives Purple for viewpoints Whether orange, blue, green, pink or purple, Penguin Celebrations give readers everywhere unique voices, enthralling stories and quite simply the best books of their kind to be published in recent years. What's not to celebrate? In the light of membership of Europe, the loss of an Empire and a devolved United Kingdom, the English no longer seem to know who they are. Using literary sources and interviews, the author attempts to define - or redefine - English identity at the turn of the Millennium. In the light of membership to Europe and a devolved U.K., the English no longer know who they are. Covering every aspect of the English identity and combining popular history with incisive interviews, Paxman provides some fascinating answers Looks at the power of words to shock, offend, insult, amuse, exaggerate, let off steam, establish relationships and communicate deep-felt emotions.