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Why You Say It: The Fascinating Stories Behind Over 600 Everyday Words and Phrases
Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.
356 pages, Hardcover
First published November 30, 1954
13 people are currently reading
324 people want to read
About the author
Webb B. Garrison
75 books14 followersWebb Garrison, formerly associate dean of Emory University and president of McKendree College, wrote more than 55 books. Before his death in 2000, Garrison lived in Lake Junaluska, North Carolina.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
May 2, 2015
Excellent book for those of us, to whom, English is not first or second language.
You read the phrase, and have no idea, why the people use it, in what context, and what they want to say. I normally ask people, but most of the time, they have no idea. Specially those who use any language as their first.
Think about the meaning of Yankee, Gringo...
You read the phrase, and have no idea, why the people use it, in what context, and what they want to say. I normally ask people, but most of the time, they have no idea. Specially those who use any language as their first.
Think about the meaning of Yankee, Gringo...
August 16, 2013
The subtitle says it all. I spent the summer reading a few entries a day (a page or two) before falling asleep at night. Adequate and mostly informative but not the sort of thing one looks back with as a "summer" read and recommends to others.
August 28, 2016
Boring. Tired. Unimaginative.
I had hoped for more information for a serious reader. I found that Garrison had provided me with some too general information, wrote for the casual reader. Not a bad thing, just not for me.
I had hoped for more information for a serious reader. I found that Garrison had provided me with some too general information, wrote for the casual reader. Not a bad thing, just not for me.
March 6, 2009
This book provides scratch-on-the-surface historical stories for many expressions we use today. It's quite interesting, although it could be more thorough.
June 25, 2011
Lots of short stories on the origins of phrases, but all so brief and superficial. All the flair of reading an abridged dictionary.
March 30, 2023
Thomas Nelson Publishing provided me with a complimentary copy of this book and 100 % of the opinions given here are my own unless otherwise stated.
This book explores the origins behind many of our everyday phrases and words. It gives a brief look into the past and explains why certain phrases became popular in the first place and why they have managed to stay in the lexicon of current usage. At 348 pages of actual reading material, the book covers topics from entertainment to food to conversation starters.
I love anything to do with words. Word puzzles, word origins, definitions, you name it. This book seemed like something I would enjoy reading and knowledge that I could add to the database inside my head. As I stated before, the nineteen chapters in the book cover a wide range of topics. I enjoyed reading some of the chapters, but seemed to plod on. A version of this book was originally published in 1955. The author explains in the introduction that in putting together this book he included words and phrases not even in use in 1955. However, I still found some of the material dated and obsolete. Does anyone still use the phrase "screaming meemies" to describe nervous or anxious behavior? First of all. I always thought the phrase was "screaming meanies" and referred to a group of loud and rambunctious youngsters. According to the book it was a phase that came into usage during WWII and often referred to case of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
While this isn't a book that I will probably read again, it is a book that can be picked up and read in short bits. It gives an interesting look at why we use some of the phrases we use and the information just might come in handy for games like Trivial Pursuit or Jeopardy
This book explores the origins behind many of our everyday phrases and words. It gives a brief look into the past and explains why certain phrases became popular in the first place and why they have managed to stay in the lexicon of current usage. At 348 pages of actual reading material, the book covers topics from entertainment to food to conversation starters.
I love anything to do with words. Word puzzles, word origins, definitions, you name it. This book seemed like something I would enjoy reading and knowledge that I could add to the database inside my head. As I stated before, the nineteen chapters in the book cover a wide range of topics. I enjoyed reading some of the chapters, but seemed to plod on. A version of this book was originally published in 1955. The author explains in the introduction that in putting together this book he included words and phrases not even in use in 1955. However, I still found some of the material dated and obsolete. Does anyone still use the phrase "screaming meemies" to describe nervous or anxious behavior? First of all. I always thought the phrase was "screaming meanies" and referred to a group of loud and rambunctious youngsters. According to the book it was a phase that came into usage during WWII and often referred to case of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
While this isn't a book that I will probably read again, it is a book that can be picked up and read in short bits. It gives an interesting look at why we use some of the phrases we use and the information just might come in handy for games like Trivial Pursuit or Jeopardy
April 20, 2010
Why You Say It looked interesting to me because of my passing interest in etymology. The book, written by Webb Garrison, examines the history behind common words and phrases that the average English speaking person encounters nearly every day.
I'm not sure really how to rate this book. At times it was interesting; however, more often than not, I was eager to skip ahead. Each word or phrase reads like a Wikipedia article: brief, hitting the important things, and slightly wordy.
Some words and phrases were very interesting, having truly fascinating history. Others were logical. Many were surprising.
Garrison aims well, but never really hits the mark. Some words I wanted to know more about, and others seemed to be too full of boring history. I realize that Garrison has no impact on the etymology of words, but I feel like this book could have easily been shorter.
Overall, Why You Say It was an interesting enough read, but it leaves no lasting impression on me. I could spout out a few new nuggets of wisdom, but nothing lasting. But, if you have more than a passing interest in word origins, I recommend the book for you.
This book was provided to me for for free by BookSneeze.com and Thomas Nelson Books, in exchange for an honest review.
I'm not sure really how to rate this book. At times it was interesting; however, more often than not, I was eager to skip ahead. Each word or phrase reads like a Wikipedia article: brief, hitting the important things, and slightly wordy.
Some words and phrases were very interesting, having truly fascinating history. Others were logical. Many were surprising.
Garrison aims well, but never really hits the mark. Some words I wanted to know more about, and others seemed to be too full of boring history. I realize that Garrison has no impact on the etymology of words, but I feel like this book could have easily been shorter.
Overall, Why You Say It was an interesting enough read, but it leaves no lasting impression on me. I could spout out a few new nuggets of wisdom, but nothing lasting. But, if you have more than a passing interest in word origins, I recommend the book for you.
This book was provided to me for for free by BookSneeze.com and Thomas Nelson Books, in exchange for an honest review.
May 8, 2010
This book explains why certain words and phrases are used the way they are. I was very excited to get it because I love knowing things like that.
It's a little disappointing because I felt like some of the words here aren't really in the common vernacular anymore (who says "high muckety-muck", for example) but it's still a very good resource.
And it's full of little tidbits that I can annoy people with.
For instance, did you know Charles M. Schulz was the guy who first used security blanket? And isn't that perfect, given that Linus is the perfect example of someone who has one?
It's a little disappointing because I felt like some of the words here aren't really in the common vernacular anymore (who says "high muckety-muck", for example) but it's still a very good resource.
And it's full of little tidbits that I can annoy people with.
For instance, did you know Charles M. Schulz was the guy who first used security blanket? And isn't that perfect, given that Linus is the perfect example of someone who has one?
June 7, 2018
I am a word geek. I love reading and writing and speaking and WORDS! The stories behind how phrases came into play and how certain wordings became a part of daily usage fascinate me.
The alternate cover for this book with ducks in a row also called out to me.
This is a book to muse through and smile at and appreciate over time.
I received this book via BOOKLOOK to review.
The alternate cover for this book with ducks in a row also called out to me.
This is a book to muse through and smile at and appreciate over time.
I received this book via BOOKLOOK to review.
Want to read
June 25, 2008Another of those great reads when you only have a few minutes. Pump up your brain and learn why you say what you say, the stories behind over 600 everyday words and phrases. I think I'll start with "Plug Away."
April 23, 2011
This cover doesn't like the cover of the book I just read but it's the same title and the same author. This was a fun book to read. I use so many of the words and phrases every day but never stop to think where they came from.
September 5, 2007
Interesting little tidbits about that strange English language.
January 6, 2009
A fun read for any language fanatic. I always feel like a real smarty pants when I know the hidden meaning behind things.
September 1, 2013
Very interesting read!
November 19, 2013
The title says it all. If you're interested in how various words and phrases came into our language, this will provide such information.
November 23, 2019
Thinking this was a gift.
November 15, 2016
I learned so much from this. Word histories fascinate me.
May 5, 2019
I can't imagine how much time and work it took to put this book together. That alone demands anyone's respect, but to do it in such an engaging way? Read it.
April 2, 2020
This is a good book if you are interested in learning how we came up with some of our commonplace words and phrases.
skimmed
May 3, 2020I have several books on the origins of phrases a sped words, and am in the process of comparing them to decide which to keep, this is a keeper. At this point, I’m just skimming through, to decide which I’m likely to read or refer to in the future, and which can move along to a new home. So I’m not rating any of them, but I do want to make a record of why I decide to keep or not keep a book.
Webb Garrison published an earlier version of this book in 1955 with Abingdon Press. This edition updates that book with new phrases that have come into usage, Including adding some phrases on topics that were taboo in the 1950s.
For the sake of comparison, I chose Charles Earle Funk’s books on word origins, as he’s one of the best known authors in this category. His books were also published in the 195os. As the editor-in-chief of a series of dictionaries, his books seem well-researched, and have the quality of a reference book, and in fact were a source for this book.
What I like about Why You Say It is the narrative style. Organized in thematic sections (animals, sports, transportation, etc.), Garrison’s goal is to make the content accessible and engaging. He tells a brief (half a page) story about where each phrase originated, providing a bit more context. For example, “Let the cat out of the bag” is traced by both Funk and Garrison to the practice of substituting a cat for a more valuable suckling pig in a sack when selling to an unsuspecting consumer. But Garrison provides more context, explaining how to avoid taxation, farmers in England would sell suckling pigs on the black market in unrecorded sales. The baby pigs were small enough to smuggle in a sack, and fetched a high price. But some realized a cat was a convincing substitute, alive and about the same size. As long as the seller didn’t “let the cat out of the bag” the trick would work.
I think this is a book I’d actually read cover to cover, while some of my other word/phrase origin books are more for dipping into as a reference.
Verdict: Keep
Webb Garrison published an earlier version of this book in 1955 with Abingdon Press. This edition updates that book with new phrases that have come into usage, Including adding some phrases on topics that were taboo in the 1950s.
For the sake of comparison, I chose Charles Earle Funk’s books on word origins, as he’s one of the best known authors in this category. His books were also published in the 195os. As the editor-in-chief of a series of dictionaries, his books seem well-researched, and have the quality of a reference book, and in fact were a source for this book.
What I like about Why You Say It is the narrative style. Organized in thematic sections (animals, sports, transportation, etc.), Garrison’s goal is to make the content accessible and engaging. He tells a brief (half a page) story about where each phrase originated, providing a bit more context. For example, “Let the cat out of the bag” is traced by both Funk and Garrison to the practice of substituting a cat for a more valuable suckling pig in a sack when selling to an unsuspecting consumer. But Garrison provides more context, explaining how to avoid taxation, farmers in England would sell suckling pigs on the black market in unrecorded sales. The baby pigs were small enough to smuggle in a sack, and fetched a high price. But some realized a cat was a convincing substitute, alive and about the same size. As long as the seller didn’t “let the cat out of the bag” the trick would work.
I think this is a book I’d actually read cover to cover, while some of my other word/phrase origin books are more for dipping into as a reference.
Verdict: Keep
December 22, 2024
Whew, this was a tough book to get through! I found this book at my library's bookstore and thought it would be really interesting to find out the origins of some of the things we say. Well..... I'm not really sure how Webb B. Garrison could have made the book better, but it really didn't hold my interest. It quickly became a chore to get through it (I don't know why I feel the need to slog through!!) and I couldn't retain any of what I had just read. Ask me about any word/phrase in the book and I will likely give you a blank stare. Ok, maybe not for 'testicle' because I just read that this morning and the mental image of Medieval men testifying in court by holding "the seat of their manhood" in one hand, and raising the other hand is hilarious!!
Also, this book is from the early 90s, so a lot of sayings in the book are very, very outdated. Imagine if Garrison were writing this book today, haha! There are so many crazy sayings and I don't know what most of them mean, so I could really use a modern-day translation guide.
Ok, now that I am FINALLY done reading it, this book is being re-donated.
Also, this book is from the early 90s, so a lot of sayings in the book are very, very outdated. Imagine if Garrison were writing this book today, haha! There are so many crazy sayings and I don't know what most of them mean, so I could really use a modern-day translation guide.
Ok, now that I am FINALLY done reading it, this book is being re-donated.
September 10, 2023
Interesting snapshot in time (1992) of sayings and/or words and where they come from.
Some we all know like "Melba Toast" but others turn out to be more obscure or not as straightforward as they seem.
Others are expressions that I personally have never heard used such as "On the Beam".
Still, worth the read.
Some we all know like "Melba Toast" but others turn out to be more obscure or not as straightforward as they seem.
Others are expressions that I personally have never heard used such as "On the Beam".
Still, worth the read.
February 3, 2024
I had never heard ~25-30% of the phrases, so I assume they've either gone out of fashion, or I'm just running with the wrong crowds, but it was awfully fun to see how the ones I did know came about. I never realized how much sailors, miners, and gamblers of the past had an impact on our current society!
December 29, 2022
This is a great reference book. It was published in 1992, and it is currently 2022. So I don’t know if it is still completely valid, but I do plan on using selections of this book in my ELD class.
Read
May 27, 2024Interesting, albeit dated, version giving the historical reasoning behind some of our most common sayings.
April 13, 2025
About an even split between educational and obvious, with some that seem just made up. Good bathroom read.
February 6, 2023
Where do all those strange expressions we use come from? This is the perfect pick up and put down book. Who knew, for example, that "put your best foot forward" comes from the vanity 16th century men had in having nice lower legs. They put their best foot forward to make a good impression.
Or that "whippersnapper" comes from the tendency of young, inexperienced cowboys to show off by snapping a whip, which loud and attention seeking, but far easier than demonstrating real rope skills. They thought they were making an impression, but all they were doing was demonstrating their lack of real experience.
Anyway, these are just two of the many explanations of common expressions that seem to be meaningless when you think about them.
Or that "whippersnapper" comes from the tendency of young, inexperienced cowboys to show off by snapping a whip, which loud and attention seeking, but far easier than demonstrating real rope skills. They thought they were making an impression, but all they were doing was demonstrating their lack of real experience.
Anyway, these are just two of the many explanations of common expressions that seem to be meaningless when you think about them.
Want to read
April 27, 2016just to know .
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews