Common Phrases: And Where They Come From - Paperback

by Myron Korach (Author), John Mordock (Author)

Discover the fascinating stories behind hundreds of commonly used words and phrases.

Back Jacket

Have you ever let the cat out of the bag? Or tried to bury the hatchet with an old enemy? How many times have you looked outside and it was raining cats and dogs? This is just a small sampling of the dozens of silly phrases we all use and hear regularly--but does anyone really know where these sayings came from or what they even mean? Common Phrases and Where They Come From, Second Edition, offers over two hundred of these quirky idioms and explores the intriguing origins and history behind each. Learn the derivation of some of your favorite phrases, including: Crocodile tears Apple of my eye Even Steven Mad moneyThree sheets to the wind Piping hot

Author Biography

Myron Korach was born in 1901 and received a law degree from Case Western Reserve University Law School in 1929. While he attended law school, Korach taught immigrants to read and write, his first experience with their difficulties with idioms. John Mordock, a psychologist by training, has published six books and numerous articles in professional journals. An avid fly fisherman, he has also published articles in outdoor magazines.