The Play of Words

by Richard Lederer

Learn the origins of popular phrases in the English language through this exciting book of games perfect for language lovers.

Do you know the connection between the expression A HARROWING EXPERIENCE and agriculture, between BY AND LARGE and sailing, between GET YOUR GOAT and horses, or between STEAL YOUR THUNDER and show business?

You probably have heard the comparisons HAPPY AS A CLAM, SMART AS A WHIP, PLEASED AS PUNCH, DEAD AS A DOORNAIL—but have you ever wondered why a clam should be happy, a whip smart, punch pleased, and a doornail dead?

Through the fifty games included in The Play of Words you'll discover the answers to these questions as well as hundreds of other semantic delights that repose in our marvelous English language.

Genres: Language, Nonfiction, Reference, Linguistics, Words, School, Education

288 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1991

About the author

Richard Lederer is the author of more than 35 books about language, history, and humor, including his best-selling Anguished English series and his current book, The Gift of Age. He has been profiled in magazines as diverse as The New Yorker, People, and the National Enquirer and frequently appears on radio as a commentator on language. He has been named International Punster of the Year and Toastmasters International's Golden Gavel winner.

He is the father of author and poet Katy Lederer and poker players Howard Lederer and Annie Duke.

Reviews

[Cherie Kephart · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Play of Words is an creative and fun collection of challenging games to entertain and exercise our brains. Lederer has a masterful command of language. His genuine enjoyment for words shines in each page.

[fpk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Came across this at a used and rare book store yesterday- what a gem! I just started looking at this one. I love Richard Lederer. I remember growing up reading his columns in the newspaper. His writing is witty, clever, full of interesting etymology, word plays, and as someone said, semantic antics. .. And of course puns! Anyone interested in linguistics, etymology, word plays, etc., should read this book! It's lots of fun.

[Siskiyou-Suzy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cool concept, not a great execution. First of all, riddled with errors. A puzzle book should be vetted even more so than any other because it completely destroys the purpose of the book! Answers were wrong or repeated, questions were wrong or repeated, or words were mixed up. And then holy hit or miss. Some of these were so fun and some had no place in a book and felt shoehorned in. I’d love a book of this sort, updates and with a bit more quality control and consistency.

[Melody · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful book by a funny and erudite guy. Love words? Love this!

[Countess of Frogmere · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm such a sucker for this type of book because I enjoy taking the quizzes myself. Fun for an afternoon of light reading, this one should probably stay in the bookstore.

[Nohreen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun & challenging book with plentiful of games. Included are metaphors, sound devices, language logic...

[Janice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lederer is so good with words. My 11th grade Omnibus enjoys playing the games when we have a few extra minutes.

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lederer is a master with words. He was involved with S.P.E.L.L. My mother is the one who purchased this book.

[Cheliturner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun book. Witty and humorous. I use parts of it for my music students as an interdisciplinary unit involving music and metaphors.

[Aj · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun book for word-lovers, with games on metaphors, rhymes, etymology, possessive phrases, alliteration and more. Some references are outdated, as it was published in the pre-digital age (1990).

[Gayle Pritchard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun read, especially entertaining while I was housebound after a hospitalization. Lederer loves language so much, and it's contagious.

[Lisa]

The Play of Words: Fun & Games for Language Lovers by Richard Lederer (1991)

[Betsy Leonard · Rating 4 out of 5]

a book of ongoing fun.

[Kimberly Purcell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this. I love puns and other word play. It's been a while since I read it, but I remember it being fun.

[Yewon Ha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book cover was very good. And it has some quiz, I like that. Also some pictures are fun!

[Darlena · Rating 4 out of 5]

If some of the items weren’t dated (terms we don’t use any more), this would have been a 5 Star book. My teenager and I did a section each night and enjoyed the brain stretches.

[Milt · Rating 4 out of 5]

the play of words is reciprocal. rejoyce to have fun.