Much Ado about English: Up and Down the Bizarre Byways of a Fascinating Language

by Richard Watson Todd

English is the world language-it is used in one hundred and fifteen countries, and around 70% of webpages are in English. But English is also complex and unpredictable. Its massive range and wealth of quirks make it fascinating and surprising to native speakers and newcomers alike. Richard Watson Todd's Much Ado About Up and Down the Bizarre Byways of a Fascinating Language takes readers on an entertaining journey through the peculiarities, illogicalities and sheer charm of the English language, wandering down the language's idiosyncratic and surprising byways. Richard Watson Todd considers everything from erratic spelling to unexpected uses, where words have come from and how they have changed, and the myriad ways we use this flexible tongue. From onomatopeia to cliches, politically correct language to Cockney rhyming slang, metaphors and oxymorons, here is a light-hearted and engaging view of a mother tongue.

Genres: Nonfiction, Language, Linguistics, Writing, Reference

156 pages, Hardcover

First published October 25, 2006

Reviews

[Becca · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really fun book to read, especially on a really busy weekend. As an English Major, it's always fun to dive into the language I love to use. This book dives into said language, but ignores the boring drabble that bores even myself.

The chapters are fun and thought provoking, about all sorts of aspects of the language. And even chapters you'd think would be boring, like plurals, the author makes enjoyable.

[Toby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and sweet discussion about some of the peculiarities of the English language. I'm a word nerd but I learned new things from this book: For example, using the word 'bread' for money comes from Cockney rhyming slang (bread and honey = money). The plural of 'octopus' is NOT 'octopi' since the root of the word is Greek and the convention of changing 'us' to 'i' for the plural is Latin. Proper Greek would be 'octopodes' but the conventional English plural is 'octopuses'. I knew that 'e' is the most frequently used letter in English but I didn't know that next is 't', then 'a', 'o', 'i', then nshrdlucmfgypwbvkxjqz. And finally, the camera that the boy finds on the beach in David Wiesner's Flotsam is actually 'jetsam' since 'flotsam' is floating debris while 'jetsam' has washed up on shore. A fun introduction to the language.

[Casey · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a fun little read. Not a lot of meat on these bones though. Certainly not an in depth look at it. But if you have an interest in some of the reasons why English may seem (and actually is) rather odd it is worth a little bit of time. Just don't look for a great linguistic treatise. I've read better. I've certainly read worse. Much Ado About the Middle of the Road.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short & eclectic. I liked it a lot, but I was probably not in the right headspace to retain everything I read. I'd read it again, though.

[Caro Robson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great fun! I read this cover to cover and was equal parts fascinated and amused.

[Edy Gies · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun book! English is a wonderfully adept and exciting language, but why? Todd explores the oddities of English and it marvelous and strange ways. My favorite was learning that English has a word for almost everything, e.g. spanghew - the action of throwing a frog in the air and catching it. This is a great way to get students or anyone stuck learning the language to appreciate its idiosyncrasies and grammar. Highly recommend!

[Jade · Rating 3 out of 5]

Anyone with an interest in reading and the English Language will find this a great way to pass the time. If we say one mouse and two mice why don't we say one house and two hice? Our language has such bizarre rules that we just accept without question - but what about the mad ones we don't know about?

[Karen]

Fun Book, short chapters. So interesting to see how our language evolved. And it continues to evolve--Unique anyone?

[Charity · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like nerdy books and this is one of them. Interesting facts about our crazy language as well as origins of various words and how the English has evolved.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

just a fun read :)

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

A funny compilation of English's weirdest words. And phrases. Fun read!