Download or read book The Complete Idiot s Guide to Weird Word Origins written by Paul McFedries and published by Penguin. This book was released on 2008 with total page 260 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: What does it mean to 'chew the fat'? Why do we put things in 'apple-pie order'? And what on earth is a 'hat trick'? Readers will learn all this and more in this fun and engaging new addition to the Complete Idiot's Guide® series, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Weird Word Origins. This humorous book provides entertaining insight on the often metaphorical, always taken-for-granted phrases and expressions used every day. In it, language expert Paul McFedries takes readers through the sometimes surprising, always amusing world of weird words and expressions, and the fascinating stories that surround them. Presented in a fun, easy-to-read style, this book takes readers on a journey through the bizarre and eccentric origins that make up our everyday speech.
Download or read book Complete Idiot s Guide to Weird Word Origins written by Paul McFedries and published by . This book was released on 2008 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book The Complete Idiot s Guide to Weird Word Origins written by Paul McFedries and published by Penguin. This book was released on 2008-08-05 with total page 260 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Get ready to chew the fat. This engaging, humorous new book explains the not-so-common origins of such commonly used phrases as “apple-pie order,” “chew the fat,” and “hat trick.” Presented in a fun, easy-to-read style, it provides entertaining insight on metaphorical phrases, weird words, and strange expressions and takes readers on a journey through the bizarre and eccentric origins that make up our everyday speech. • Word books have gained in popularity not just with students and linguaphiles, but with a general population interested in the fascinating development of our language. • Contains back stories for 500 intriguing words and phrases. • Fun to flip through and also fun to read cover to cover.
Download or read book The Complete Idiot s Guide to Comedy Writing written by James Mendrinos and published by Penguin. This book was released on 2004 with total page 356 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: You've always known writing comedy was about more than just being funny. But how do you create a joke and work it into a script or a stand-up routine? Comedian, writer, and teacher Jim Mendrinos has the answers. In The Complete Idiot s Guide to Comedy Writing, Mendrinos gives readers the principles he teaches in his popular courses, from understanding what funny is and how to find it, to how to actually construct comedy. Working through the basic constructions and forms including premises, points of view, and twists, he shows the variations of written, verbal, and physical comedy. With useful exercises, Mendrinos helps writers refine their writing, appeal to their audience, and even break writer's block by learning techniques for brainstorming, free association, lists, and finding infinite points of view.
Download or read book Uncle John s Weird Wonderful World Bathroom Reader written by Bathroom Readers' Institute and published by Simon and Schuster. This book was released on 2023-09-05 with total page 612 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Uncle John is back with the 36th annual Bathroom Reader, an all-new collection of entertaining articles that explore the weird and wonderful world we live in. In this 36th edition of Uncle John’s Bathroom Reader, longtime fans and new readers alike will be astounded by a treasure trove of wonderfully weird (and true!) stories that explore the realms of pop culture, history, sports, science, and everyday folks, including the always popular misadventures of dumb crooks. Uncle John and his team at the Bathroom Readers’ Institute have reached into all corners of the world to bring you this all-new collection of entertaining and informative articles that include short reads for a quick trip to the throne room as well as longer page-turners for when you take an extended visit. You’ll also find a plethora of amusing lists, odd factoids, quotes, and quizzes that will tickle every trivia enthusiast’s fancy.
Download or read book The Complete Idiot s Guide to World War II written by Mitchell Geoffrey Bard and published by Penguin. This book was released on 2004 with total page 436 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: WWII began in 1939 as a European conflict between Germany and an Anglo-French coalition but eventually widened to include most of the nations of the world. It ended in 1945, leaving a new world order dominated by the United States and the USSR. This book features updated and expanded coverage of the fateful D-Day invasion, a critical timeline of major WW II events, and a WW II timeline highlighting the crucial and most important events of the war. It will include details about major battles on land, in the air, and on the sea - starting with Hitler's rise to power and his goal of European conquest; to Japan's bombing of Pearl Harbour; to the decisive battles such as D-Day and the Battle of Midway, which turned the tides of the war toward the Allies.
Download or read book The Fun and Easy Way to Achieve Total Stupidity written by Thomas Dolt and published by . This book was released on 1999 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A mind-numbing salute to the greatest cultural legacy of the late 20th century, this guide serves up a smorgasbord of today's leading morons and mouthbreathers: Jerry Springer, Kathie Lee Gifford, Spice Girls, Mike Tyson, and Dan Quayle. Illustrations.
Download or read book The Complete Idiot s Guide to Indigo Children written by Carolyn Flynn and published by Penguin. This book was released on 2007-08-07 with total page 340 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Forget the Age of Aquarius and hang on tight . . . The term “Indigo Children” entered the lexicon in 1982 when psychic and author Nancy Ann Tappe talked about the coming Indigo Age in her book, Understanding Your Life Through Color. In this guide, the authors explain why Indigo Children require lots of attention: they tend to think holistically and intuitively, and they process emotions differently. Parenting these high-level children is a challenge, and their years in school may be challenging. • Articles about the Indigo phenomenon have appeared in newspapers throughout the U.S. and as far away as Russia over the last few years, including one in the New York Times (1/06) • Author Wendy H. Chapman is considered one of the foremost experts on Indigo Children
Download or read book The Complete Idiot s Guide to Urban Legends written by Brandon Toropov and published by Penguin. This book was released on 2001 with total page 334 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A collection of modern-day urban myths and folklore explores questions relating to famous figures, government conspiracies, paranoia, revenge, chain letters, and humiliating experiences.
Download or read book The Complete Idiot s Guide to a Smart Vocabulary written by Paul McFedries and published by Penguin. This book was released on 2001 with total page 392 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Defines over 1,000 words in subject areas such as people, computers, business, law, culture, and government, as well as foreign terms and new words.
Download or read book The Complete Idiot s Guide to String Theory written by George Musser and published by Penguin. This book was released on 2008-07-01 with total page 372 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: We’re living in the midst of a scientific revolution that’s captured the general public’s attention and imagination. The aim of this new revolution is to develop a “theory of everything”—a set of laws of physics that will explain all that can be explained, ranging from the tiniest subatomic particle to the universe as a whole. Here, readers will learn the ideas behind the theories, and their effects upon our world, our civilization, and ourselves. The Complete Idiot’s Guide® String Theory explains how this exciting idea holds up against competing theories. In this Complete Idiot’s Guide®, you get: • Clear explanation of quantum mechanics, Einstein’s theories of relativity, and how string theory unites them. • A quick, easy-to-understand overview of competing theories and how they might be tested. • Fast facts about black holes, what’s inside them, how they’re made, and why they’re so paradoxical. • Simple, smart tips to help you visualize extra dimensions.
Download or read book Word Histories A Glossary Of Unusual Word Origins written by Wendell Herbruck and published by Legare Street Press. This book was released on 2023-07-18 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Have you ever wondered where certain words and phrases come from? In this informative and entertaining book, Herbruck explores the histories of some of the most unusual words in the English language. From the origins of "hocus pocus" to the mysterious roots of "mumbo jumbo," readers will be delighted by the surprising stories behind the words we use every day. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.
Download or read book The Complete Idiot s Guide to Writing Well written by Laurie Rozakis and published by Penguin. This book was released on 2000-01-09 with total page 475 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: You're no idiot, of course. You know how to tap out an email to your boss, scrawl a note to your sweetheart, even throw in an extra flourish when you sign a greeting card. But when it comes to really writing that excruciating process of transferring your thoughts to paper without inventing some strange new language well, let's just say you think you lack the write stuff. The written word was a great achievement in human history; don't give up on it just yet! 'The Complete Idiot's Guide to Writing Well' is the writing book you've been waiting for everything you need to know to make writing of any kind as easy as thinking or speaking. In this 'Complete Idiot's' Guide, you'll get : -Expert advice on making your writing as clear, persuasive and painless as possible, whether it's a thank-you note, a school paper, or an executive briefing. Easy-to-follow guidelines on a structure, spelling, punctuation, vocabulary and style. No-nonsense advice on figuring out the three hardest parts of any writing: the beginning, middle and end.
Download or read book The Complete Idiot s Guide to the College Diet Cookbook written by Shelly James and published by Penguin. This book was released on 2007-09-04 with total page 329 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Now college students can feed their minds-and their bodies! This unique cookbook serves up easy-to-follow, mouth-watering recipes that students can make in record time with just apartment or dorm appliances. Packed with great meals, snacks, and desserts that are quick to prepare and healthy alternatives to restaurants or prepared foods, this indispensable student resource is the most essential bookstore purchase a college student will make. -The only book of its kind that features both recipes and a plan for healthy eating for college students -Most of the recipes can be prepared in less time than it would take to be served at a restaurant or on the meal plan -Recipes tested and approved by students at four major universities -Provides extensive nutritional information
Download or read book The Complete Idiot s Guide to Canoeing and Kayaking written by Canoe and Kayak Magazine and published by Penguin. This book was released on 2004-07-06 with total page 404 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Go with the flow! You’re no idiot, of course. You love being on the water and in the great outdoors. But when it comes to canoeing or kayaking, you’re starting to think you hear a waterfall. Don’t head for higher ground! The Complete Idiot’s Guide® to Canoeing and Kayaking will prepare you for your journey—whether you’re heading down a local river, around a regional lake, or into the ocean. In this Complete Idiot’s Guide®, you get: • Detailed information on the different types of canoes, kayaks, and tips for choosing the right one for you. • Paddling strokes, maneuvers, and techniques for all kinds of conditions. • Foolproof tips on navigating all types of waters—from rough rapids to slow-moving streams. • Great advice on using kayaks and canoes for fitness, fishing, camping, and competition. Learn more about: • Safety considerations, including quick exits, Eskimo Rolls, swift water-rescue techniques, and more. • Safely paddling with kids, to make sure everyone has fun. • Clothing and equipment, including how to choose and care for a personal flotation device. • Paddling techniques and how they evolved through the years. • Planning a trip and choosing an outfitter or guide. • Building your own canoe or kayak.
Download or read book The Complete Idiot s Guide to Shakespeare written by Laurie Rozakis and published by Penguin. This book was released on 1999 with total page 406 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Introduces Shakespeare's plays, sonnets, and narrative poems, and discusses major themes, characters, and dramatic techniques
Download or read book The Complete Idiot s Guide to College Biology written by Emily Jane Willingham Ph.D. and published by Penguin. This book was released on 2010-06-01 with total page 507 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Biology is the study of life—the structure, function, growth, origin, and evolution of living things. Biology and chemistry work together to create what many people think of as "science." And passing Biology 101 in college is the entryway to further study in the sciences - if you can't do well in it, you aren't moving ahead. The Complete Idiot's Guide® to College Biology follows the curriculum to Biology 101 so closely that it serves as a perfect study guide to it, and it's also great for the AP Biology and SAT Subject Biology exams that high school students are taking in droves. Students can turn to it when their textbooks are unclear or as an additional aid throughout the semester. The guide covers: • Complicated processes such as photosynthesis and cellular respiration • Explanations of complex biology, from DNA to ecosystems • Offers online extras, including a chapter on microbes and an extended glossary Suitable for the new learner or as a refresher for former students, The Complete Idiot's Guide® to College Biology brings biology to the reader in a relaxed, accessible way.
