Red Herrings & White Elephants

Have you ever wondered what phrases such as 'square meal', 'load of old codswallop', 'egg on your face' or 'in the limelight' mean? Where do they come from? Have you ever taken a moment to wonder what we say actually means? The origins of hundreds of common phrases are explained in this irreverent journey through the most fascinating and richest regions of the English language. In a book that takes yo all over the world, from nautical origins to food and drink terms, once you have learnt one phrase, tou will be eager to learn them all! From the drop of a hat to the bitter end - you'll be surprised and intrigued and you'll never speak English in the same way again!

Albert Jack is a writer and researcher in pop culture whose favourite phrase is 'doolally'.