Highly irregular : why tough, through, and dough don't rhyme-and other oddities of the English language / Arika Okrent ; illustrated by Sean O'Neill.

Item request has been placed! ×
Item request cannot be made. ×
loading   Processing Request
View Catalog Place Hold Read More Add to Saved list
Share on Goodreads
  • Additional Information
    • Abstract:
      Summary: "Perhaps you're reading a book and stop to puzzle over absurd spelling rules, or you hear someone talking and get stuck on an expression, or your kid quizzes you on homework. Suddenly you ask yourself, "Wait, why do we do it this way?" You think about it, try to explain it, and keep running into walls. It doesn't conform to logic. It doesn't work the way you'd expect it to. There doesn't seem to be any rule at all. In Highly Irregular, Arika Okrent answers these questions and many more. Along the way she tells the story of the many influences--from invading French armies to stubborn Flemish printers--that made our language the way it is today"-- Provided by publisher.
    • Content Notes:
      What the hell, English? -- Blame the barbarians -- Blame the French -- Blame the printing press -- Blame the snobs -- Blame ourselves -- That's enough now, English.
    • Notes:
      Includes bibliographical references (pages [251]-254) and index.
      1 2 3 4 22
    • ISBN:
      9780197539408
      0197539408
    • Accession Number:
      2021004585
    • Accession Number:
      1198016617
    • Accession Number:
      ccp.1116600