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Ballyhoo, Buckaroo, and Spuds: Ingenious Tales of Words and Their Origins (Hardcover)

~ MIchael Quinion (Author)

4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)

Price:	$19.95 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details
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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Logophile Quinion, who writes a column about new words for the Daily Telegraph, proves his knowledge of familiar phrases in this energetic look at common English words and idioms. The first known use of the term "cut and dried," for example, occurred in 1710, in reference to an uninspired sermon; like herbs precut for sale in markets, the sermon lacked freshness. The notion of a "graveyard shift" did not arise from Victorian-era workers minding cemeteries to make sure people weren’t accidentally buried alive ("I love such stories, complete and utter hogwash though they are," notes the author), but dates from the early years of the 20th century, and is merely an evocative term for the night shift. From "Akimbo" (perhaps Old Norse in origin) to "Zzxjoanw" (an etymological hoax rather than a real word), Quinion tours the English language, not always offering definitive answers but generally providing the next best thing: good theories.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Words lovers, get ready to have some myths shattered. Hot dog didn't originate with a cartoonist who couldn't spell frankfurter. Thomas Crapper--and he would probably be relieved to know this--did not give us the word crap. The word cop is not an acronym for "constable on patrol." When he is not busting myths, the author (who runs the World Wide Words Web site) offers up origins of words and phrases most readers will probably have wondered about. We're all familiar with the phrase "happy as a clam," but why a clam? We know what a 10-gallon hat is, but how did it get its name? And what the heck is a ballyhoo, anyway? The book is simply organized--alphabetically, of course--and endlessly illuminating. Quinion's research and documentation are impeccable, and when he needs to make a leap of imagination, he does so gracefully. For word lovers, this book is indispensable. David Pitt
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

Hardcover: 280 pages
Publisher: Smithsonian (October 7, 2004)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1588342190
ISBN-13: 978-1588342195
Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1.1 inches
Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)

Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)

Amazon.com Sales Rank: #832,465 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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	73% buy the item featured on this page: Ballyhoo, Buckaroo, and Spuds: Ingenious Tales of Words and Their Origins 4.3 out of 5 stars (7) $19.95
	13% buy I Didn't Know That: From "Ants in the Pants" to "Wet Behind the Ears"--the Unusual Origins of the Things We Say 4.8 out of 5 stars (9) $9.90
	5% buy I'm Not Hanging Noodles on Your Ears and Other Intriguing Idioms From Around the World 3.8 out of 5 stars (5) $9.32
	5% buy Gallimaufry: A Hodgepodge of Our Vanishing Vocabulary 4.6 out of 5 stars (5) $11.53

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Customer Reviews

7 Reviews

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
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Average Customer Review

4.3 out of 5 stars (7 customer reviews)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun reading for idle times..., January 19, 2007

By	Joe Sixpack -- Slipcue.com (...in Middle America) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)

This review is from: Ballyhoo, Buckaroo, and Spuds: Ingenious Tales of Words and Their Origins (Paperback)

Ever browse the Oxford English Dictionary just for fun, especially for the parenthetical information about the origins of words? Ever wish those entries were longer? Well, then you'll love this book. Those of who love language and words will enjoy finding out the sources of "kangaroo" and "cop," "jury rigged" and "the real McCoy"... Often the real roots of phrases and words remain unknown, but debunking the myths is just as much fun as finding the answer... A good read!

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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Setting the Record Straight, April 24, 2006

By	F. Hamilton "fran@grammarandmore.com" (St. Louis, MO United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

In our electronic age, especially with the Internet, information can be disseminated more rapidly and more widely than ever before. So can misinformation. People hear a plausible and entertaining story about a word's origin and share it with others -- without bothering to check its validity. In _Ballyhoo, Buckaroo, and Spuds: Ingenious Tales of Words and Their Origins_ Michael Quinion, contributor to the _Oxford English Dictionary_ and creator of the World Wide Words website and newsletter, corrects many common misconceptions.

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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars For word lovers out there, July 19, 2005

By	Guillermina B. Stover "Guille la Mexicana" (Rota, Spain) - See all my reviews

I love words--their meaning and their etymologies--so this is a great book for those of us who like to read and research. I especially enjoy how Michael Quinion starts off with the myth of the origin of a word then goes on to tell you the reality.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars An interesting read
This book is an interesting read, but not one that can lead to or even help toward to mastery of the subject (etymology). Read more

Published on August 30, 2007 by John W

5.0 out of 5 stars good deal
Bought this as a Christmas present for my son, who loves word origins and wordplay type books. Very nice condition at a closeout price. Pleased with it.

Published on January 18, 2007 by joaniebeadgood

5.0 out of 5 stars Quinion's scholarship is peerless.
As usual, Michael Quinion's meticulous scholarship and excellent writing make a fascinating and educational read.

Published on January 29, 2006 by Wayne Scott

3.0 out of 5 stars Meaningful
The author gives his expert explanation of some common idioms and unusual words of the English shared by Britain and America. Read more

Published on September 4, 2005 by Christian Schlect

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