Gooden Philip, Lewis Peter. Idiomantics: The Weird and Wonderful World of Popular Phrases

Bloomsbury Publishing, 2012. — 257 p. — ISBN: 9-781-4081-5144-0.Idiomantics is a unique exploration of the world of idiomatic phrases. The very etymology of the word 'idiom' reveals what's so endlessly fascinating about the wide range of colourful phrases we use in everyday speech: their peculiarity. They're peculiar both in the sense of being particular or unique to the culture from which they originate, and in the sense of being downright odd.To cite three random examples - from American English, Dutch and Italian - what on Earth are a snow job, a monkey sandwich story, and Mr Punch's secret? Fascinating and illuminating, Idiomantics explains all...The ideal gift for word buffs and in fact, anyone who enjoys a good yarn, this playful book looks at 12 groups of idioms around the world, looking at subjects such as fun and games, gastronomic delights and the daily grind.Introduction
Curious Coves
Pursuits and Pastimes
Corridors of Power
Gastronomic Delights
Militaria
Th e Daily Grind
Birds, Beasts and Bugs
National Identity
World of Wonder
Matters Spiritual
Human Flesh
Th e Long Arm of the Law
Travellers’ Tales