Horrible Words: A Guide to the Misuse of English
Author(s): Rebecca Gowers
Nothing inflames the language gripers like a misplaced disinterested, an illogical irregardless, a hideous operationalisation. To purists these are 'howlers' and 'non-words', fit only for scorn. But in their rush to condemn such terms, are the naysayers missing something? In this provocative and hugely entertaining book, Rebecca Gowers throws light on a great array of horrible words, and shows how the diktats of the pedants are repeatedly based on misinformation, false reasoning and straight-up snobbery. The result is a brilliant work of history, a surreptitious introduction to linguistics, and a mischievous salute to the misusers of the language. It is also a bold manifesto asserting our common rights over English, even as it questions the true nature of style.
Product Information
General Fields
- :
- : Penguin Books Ltd
- : Particular Books
- : 0.567
- : 01 March 2016
- : 198mm X 129mm
- : United Kingdom
- : 01 May 2016
- : books
Special Fields
- : 208
- : 516
- : Hardback
- : Rebecca Gowers