A funny and entertaining way to discover more about the history and meaning of language. SUSIE DENT'S WEIRD WORDS takes children on a rip-roaring tour through some of the most astonishing and sometimes quite revolting origins of English words. As Susie Dent knows, even the most ordinary-sounding word can have the most extraordinary story behind it.

Susie Dent is here to take children on a rip-roaring tour through some of the most astonishing, amusing and sometimes quite revolting backgrounds of English words. Did you know, for instance, that 'fizzle' originally meant to break wind silently? Over time, it came to describe a weak, spluttering, hissing sound. And you might think that 'ain't' isn't a word you should use, but it is thought the word was once used by kings and queens. As Susie Dent knows, even the most ordinary-sounding word can have the most extraordinary story behind it.

'Susie Dent is a national treasure' RICHARD OSMAN 'Susie Dent is a one-off. She breathes life and fun into words and language' PAM AYRES __________________________________________ Would you be bewildered if someone described you as radgy? Do you know how to recognise a tittamatorter? And would you understand if someone called you a culchie? How to Talk Like a Local gathers together hundreds of words from all over the country and digs down to uncover their origins. From dardledumdue, which means daydreamer in East Anglia, through forkin robbins, the Yorkshire term for earwigs, to clemt, a Lancashire word that means hungry, it investigates an astonishingly rich variety of regional expressions, and provides a fascinating insight into the history of the English language. If you're intrigued by colourful words and phrases, if you're interested in how English is really spoken, or if you simply want to find out a bit more about the development of our language, How to Talk Like a Local is irresistible - and enlightening - reading. __________________________________________________ 'Nobody on earth knows more about the English language than Susie Dent and nobody writes about it more entertainingly' GYLES BRANDRETH 'It's an interesting and, at times, hilarious read. One for word-lovers' THE SUN

What's the difference between a retrosexual and a metrosexual? Have you heard the scientific evidence for Momnesia (a mother's forgetfulness after giving birth)? Which famous author coined the term embuggerance earlier this year? Are you nomophobic?Following the dramatic success of The Language Report, Susie Dent returns with Words of the Year - a fascinating A-Z collection of new and newly resurrected words that have been selected for their topicality and resonance in 2008. Highlighting why certain words have come into use through currentpreoccupations or events, Dent charts the very latest linguistic changes and the interesting stories behind them. Contains feature entries for words that are linked by context to a newly prominent word, for example, linked to sub-prime in a financial context are bullish, bear, and bankrupt. Dentbases her discoveries on the most authoritative, thorough, and up to date evidence available: the unparalleled resources of the Oxford English Dictionary reading programme and the Oxford English Corpus, the world's largest language databank.A truly witty and insightful snapshot of current language usage, Words of the Year highlights the words of our time and delves into captivating etymologies along the way. An essential read for all language enthusiasts.

'Susie Dent is a one-off. She breathes life and fun into words and language' Pam Ayres 'Susie Dent is a national treasure' Richard Osman Welcome to a year of wonder with Susie Dent, lexicographer, logophile, and longtime queen of Countdown's Dictionary Corner. From the real Jack the Lad to the theatrically literal story behind stealing someone's thunder, from tartle (forgetting someone's name at the very moment you need it) to snaccident (the unintentional eating of an entire packet of biscuits), WORD PERFECT is a brilliant linguistic almanac full of unforgettable stories, fascinating facts, and surprising etymologies tied to every day of the year. You'll never be lost for words again.

Sparkling with insight and linguistic curiosity, this delightful compendium answers 101 of the most intriguing questions about the English language, from word origins and spelling to grammar and usage. Irresistible to anyone with an interest in the words around them.

Infinitely browsable and completely up to date, The Language Report is a collection of topical and fascinating facts and observations on today's spoken and written English. Backed by the largest language research program in the world at Oxford University Press, this new book presents an up-to-the-minute snapshot of English language today: tracking the latest new words to have entered its usage; investigating old words revived by current events in, for example, the worlds of politics and pop; and examining the most recent trends of language development. This intriguing survey covers language issues reported by the media in recent times, including memorable quotations and sayings of the year; nicknames in the news; new venues for language, such as Internet chatrooms; and controversial developments in usage and grammar. It also analyzes English around the world, uncovering the latest words and phrases to enter our vocabulary; and explores what new words were hundreds of years ago, and how they've developed or disappeared. An ideal reference for all word lovers, this new book offers a fascinating tour of the English language today.