Bibliograph

Bad English, a history of linguistic aggravation, Ammon Shea

Type

Label

Bad English, a history of linguistic aggravation, Ammon Shea

Language

eng

Bibliography note

Includes bibliographical references (pages [227]-247) and index

Index

index present

Literary Form

non fiction

Main title

Bad English

Nature of contents

bibliography

Oclc number

881385857

Responsibility statement

Ammon Shea

Sub title

a history of linguistic aggravation

Summary

"The author of Reading the OED presents an eye-opening look at language "mistakes" and how they came to be accepted as correct-or not. English is a glorious mess of a language, cobbled together from a wide variety of sources and syntaxes, and changing over time with popular usage. Many of the words and usages we embrace as standard and correct today were at first considered slang, impolite, or just plain wrong. Whether you consider yourself a stickler, a nitpicker, or a rule-breaker in the know, Bad English is sure to enlighten, enrage, and perhaps even inspire. Filled with historic and contemporary examples, the book chronicles the long and entertaining history of language mistakes, and features some of our most common words and phrases. Lively, surprising, funny, and delightfully readable, this is a book that will settle arguments among word lovers-and it's sure to start a few, too"--, Provided by publisher

Table Of Contents

Arguing semantics -- Words that are not words -- Verbing nouns -- sins of grammar -- The continuing deterioration of the language -- Defending English -- 221 words that were once frowned upon

Target audience

adult

Classification

Creator