{"product_id":"9780743254939","title":"Informal English","description":"Author: Jeffrey Kacirk\u003cbr\u003eISBN: 9780743254939\u003cbr\u003ePublisher: Touchstone\u003cbr\u003eYear first published: 23 Jun 2005\u003cbr\u003ePages: 256\u003cbr\u003eFormat: Paperback \/ softback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGleaned from antiquated dictionaries, dialect glossaries, studies of folklore, nautical lexicons, historical writings, letters, novels, and miscellaneous sources, Informal English offers a captivating treasure trove of linguistic oddities that will not only entertain but also shed light on America's colloquial past. Among the gems are: \u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eSurface-coal:\u003c\/b\u003e cow dung, widely used for fuel in Texas \u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eBone-orchard:\u003c\/b\u003e in the Southwest slang for a cemetery \u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eChawswizzled:\u003c\/b\u003e \"confounded\" in Nebraskan idiom. \"I'll be chawswizzled!\" \u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eLeather-ears:\u003c\/b\u003e to Cape Cod inhabitants, a person of slow comprehension \u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003ePuncture lady:\u003c\/b\u003e a southwestern expression for a woman who prefers to sit on the sidelines at a dance and gossip rather than dance, often puncturing someone's reputation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\n Whether the entries are unexpected twists on familiar-sounding expressions or based on curious old customs, this wide-ranging assortment of vernacular Americanisms will amaze and amuse even the most hard-boiled curmudgeon.","brand":"Print on demand - Ships in 1 to 3 months","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46871664328862,"sku":"HPC-9780743254939","price":26.78,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0400\/9043\/5742\/files\/9780743254939.jpg?v=1779618669","url":"https:\/\/classicbargains.com.au\/products\/9780743254939","provider":"Classic Bargains Australia","version":"1.0","type":"link"}