Humble Pie and Cold Turkey

<p>Caroline Taggart worked in publishing as an editor of popular non-fiction for thirty years before being asked by Michael O'Mara Books to write <i>I Used to Know That, </i>which became a <i>Sunday Times</i> bestseller. Following that she was co-author of <i>My Grammar and I (or should that be 'Me'?)</i>, and wrote a number of other books about words and English usage. She has appeared frequently on television and on national and regional radio, talking about language, grammar and whether or not Druids Cross should have an apostrophe.<br><br>Her website is carolinetaggart.co.uk and you can follow her on Twitter @citaggart.</p><p><b>‘Caroline Taggart has carved out a niche for herself in user-friendly, wittily written factual books.’ – <i>Yorkshire Post</i></b><br>______________________<br><br>The huge variety of colourful phrases contained in the English language are notoriously varied and, often, notably odd. From <b><i>blue-blooded</i></b> (an invention of aristocratic Spaniards) to <b><i>limelight</i></b> (a way of lighting Victorian theatres), passing an exam with <b><i>flying colours</i></b> (an image from sailing ships) to winning <b><i>hands down</i></b> (from horse racing), the fascinating expressions that make up our language are explored in <i>Humble Pie and Cold Turkey</i>.<br><br>In this highly entertaining book, language enthusiast and <i>Sunday Times</i> best-selling author Caroline Taggart browses through thousands of years of history to shed light on why we use the <b>words and phrases</b> we do. Arranged by themes including food, the household, childhood, romance and more, this intriguing book looks at the <b>origins of our language </b>from their <b>historical context</b>. For example, did you know that:<br><br>If you <i><b>rest on your laurels</b></i>, you’re imitating a complacent Roman general?<br>If you <b><i>eavesdrop</i></b>, you’re likely to get wet?<br>If you’re <i><b>taken aback</b></i>, you should, strictly speaking, be a sailing ship?<br>If you’re <i><b>galvanized into action</b></i>, you’re behaving like Frankenstein’s monster?<br><br><i>Humble Pie and Cold Turkey</i> will prompt you to question the downright bizarre idioms we use to express ourselves, and<b> answer questions you may never have thought to ask</b>. Including why turkeys need to be cold and how pies came to be humble.</p><b><i>Humble Pie and Cold Turkey</i> is an engaging historical exploration of the bizarre words and phrases that are sprinkled throughout the English Language. Designed to be easily accessible, this digestible book informs and entertains the budding linguist in equal measure. </b><i>Humble Pie and Cold Turkey</i> is an engaging historical exploration of the bizarre words and phrases that are sprinkled throughout the English Language. Designed to be easily accessible, this digestible book informs and entertains the budding linguist in equal measure.