Origins of the Specious: Myths and Misconceptions of the

Origins of the Specious: Myths and Misconceptions of the English Language

Do you cringe when a talking head pronounces â€œnicheâ€ as NITCH? Do you get bent out of shape when your teenager begins a sentence with â€œandâ€? Do you think British spellings are more â€œcivilisedâ€ than the American versions? If you answered yes to any of those questions, youâ€™re myth-informed.Â

Â Â Â In Origins of the Specious, word mavens Patricia T. Oâ€™Conner and Stewart Kellerman reveal why some of grammarâ€™s best-known â€œrulesâ€ arenâ€™tâ€”and never wereâ€”rules at all. This playfully witty, rigorously researched book sets the record straight about bogus word origins, politically correct fictions, phony franÃ§ais, fake acronyms, and more. Here are some shockers: â€œTheyâ€ was once commonly used for both singular and plural, much the way â€œyouâ€ is today. And an eighteenth-century female grammarian, of all people, is largely responsible for the all-purpose â€œhe.â€ From the Queenâ€™s English to street slang, this eye-opening romp will be the toast of grammarphiles and the salvation of grammarphobes. Take our word for it.

Country	USA
Brand	Random House Trade Paperbacks
Manufacturer	Random House Trade Paperbacks
Binding	Paperback
ItemPartNumber	0812978102_used
Model	0812978102_used
Color	Brown
ReleaseDate	2010-08-24
UnitCount	1
EANs	9780812978100

Origins of the Specious: Myths and Misconceptions of the English Language