Idiom's Delight: Fascinating Phrases & Linguistic Eccentricities

by Sue Brock, Suzanne Brock

For all those interested in the crossroads of linguistics and culture, this enchanting book offers a colorful array of foreign and domestic idioms. Illustrated.

Genres: Language, Linguistics, Nonfiction

158 pages, Paperback

First published December 3, 1991

Reviews

[Jillian · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was really fun. I love books about idioms and proverbs from around the world.

My favorite idiom was a French one. Instead of "I'm at my wit's end" they might say, "I don't know which saint to pray to."

[Caitlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I love language in general, but seeing how it changes with culture is so fascinating. This book delves into Spanish, French, Italian, and Latin idioms with lots of fun facts and history.

[Louise Chambers · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a fun book! Just the ticket to make a change from biographies. Italian, Spanish, French and Latin idioms and other fun language facts.

I can tell this author is a language "nut", a true collector and etymologist. Even with an academic mind she is able to keep a lively sense of fun rolicking along the way.

[Zack]

SO GOOD. Loved it. I love idioms. it was really interesting how the writer compared idioms from all 5 different languages in a concise manner. brought up a ton of questions. and good fodder for poems. the line "throwing the house out of one of its windows" will surely show up in one of my poems.

[Steven Burgauer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Feeds my fancy for word histories and the like. Joyful.