Fighting Words: From War, Rebellion, and Other Combative Capers [Paperback]

Christine Ammer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1999

An astonishing number of words and phrases have entered our language from warfare, including Jeep, bazooka, and G.I. as well as words such as magazine and wardrobe, which have since lost their military meaning. Here are nearly 1,000 terms, alphabetically arranged, including new phrases such as ethnic cleansing and Gulf War syndrome.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This directory of some 650 military terms is never quite sure what it wants to be. It is far too brief and nonselective to be a serious reference work, and too ponderous to be ironic or entertaining. Ammer, the author of similar works in other fields, deciphers such arcane terms as "armed to the teeth" and "hooker" but shows no real knowledge of military terminology. John Elting's Dictionary of Soldier Talk ( LJ 6/15/83) is vastly superior, and funnier too. Not recommended.
- Raymond L. Puffer, U.S. Air Force History Prog., Los Angeles
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 284 pages
• Publisher: NTC/Contemporary Publishing Company; 2nd edition (February 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0844202851
• ISBN-13: 978-0844202853
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #215,889 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #25 in Books > Education & Reference > Encyclopedias > Military

More About the Author

Christine Ammer is a lifelong student of language. She is the author of several dozen popular reference books, on subjects ranging from classical music to women's health. In recent decades she has concentrated on language, especially colloquial expressions. She lives and looks into words in Lexington, Massachusetts.