"The histories of words hold a special fascination because they touch our lives in an immediate way. Finding out the origins of our everyday vocabulary provides answers to the questions that cross our minds every time we use sayings that sound exotic and quirky, mysterious and fantastic, or totally illogical and unrelated to anything familiar in contemporary times. Haven't you ever wondered how one can win hands down? If jingo was imported from some faraway place? Why madness is associated with March hares? And what is so distasteful about eating crow? Knowing the tales and truths about common words and phrases adds a rich accuracy to our use of language and a lively sharpness to our tongue. Now this entertaining and informative sequel to the highly acclaimed Hue and Cry and Humble Pie brings us essays and anecdotes galore on another 500 words and phrases. No word maven will be able to look up just one."--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved