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Charles Earle Funk
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A Hog on Ice: & Other Curious Expressions Paperback – October 1, 2002

by Charles E. Funk (Author)
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From “mad as a wet hen” to “corn dodger” and “hobgoblin,” Charles Funk’s collections of curious words and expressions are a treasure trove of word origin.

Where did expressions like this come from anyway?

Now finally we’ll know what “letting the cat out of the bag” or “going on wild-goose chase” refers to. In this fun collection of over 400 curious expressions and sayings, Dr. Funk explains the meanings that we use in everyday speech without even thinking about it. He has traced them back through the years-in some cases centuries-in an effort to determine their sources, to find out what the original allusions were, or, at the very least, to give us his expert opinion when facts cannot be traced.

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  1. Print length
    224 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    October 1, 2002
  4. Dimensions
    5.31 x 0.51 x 8 inches
  5. ISBN-10
    0060513292
  6. ISBN-13
    978-0060513290
  7. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

He's as independent as a hog on ice!

Where did expressions like this come from anyway?

Now finally we'll know what "letting the cat out of the bag" or "going on a wild-goose chase" refers to. In this fun collection of more than 400 curious expressions and sayings, Dr. Funk explains the meanings that we use in everyday speech without even thinking about it. He has traced them back through the years -- in some cases centuries -- in an effort to determine their sources, to find out what the original allusions were, or at the very least, to give us his expert opinion when facts cannot be traced.

About the Author

Charles Earle Funk was editor in chief of the Funk & Wagnalls Standard Dictionary Series. He wrote several other books on word and phrase origins, including Horsefeathers, Heavens to Betsy!, and Thereby Hangs a Tale.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ William Morrow Paperbacks; Reprint edition (October 1, 2002)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 224 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0060513292
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0060513290
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.31 x 0.51 x 8 inches
  • Customer Reviews:

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Charles Earle Funk

Charles Earle Funk

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Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
63 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the book's content great and fun to read. They also say it's a great coffee table book and leaves them with great stories to share.

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ContentReadability
7 customers mention "Content"7 positive0 negative

Customers find the content great, interesting, and say it's a great resource. They also say it leaves them with great stories to share.

"Lots of interesting facts and “aha” moments" Read more

"...Fun and informative." Read more

"This is a great coffee table or bathroom book and will leave you with great stories to share at future gatherings with friends...." Read more

"Great resource of odd sayings and word origins, many of which I have used all my life never knowing where they came from...." Read more

7 customers mention "Readability"7 positive0 negative

Customers find the book fun to read.

"Explanations and histories of all sorts of phrases and words. Fun and informative." Read more

"Fun read mixed with a bit of historical lore and charm." Read more

"...Great read for young and old." Read more

"Fun book to look up my funny sayings. Orgins fun to read." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

Beanfellow
5.0 out of 5 stars A fun and enlightening book
Reviewed in the United States on June 7, 2023
Verified Purchase
I read this book long ago. Cool! This edition looks a bit faded- like a reprint of a reprint. Not crisp enough. But certainly good ! I gave it as a gift to some friends. Did you know that the term “On the nose” comes from radio ? The director of a radio show behind a glass wall used to signal to the voice actor that they were reaching the time limit for their live read by slowly putting the tip of his finger to his nose tip - and touching it meant “perfect timing” to reach the end. Lots of colloquialisms like that are explained with fun facts, many from jobs and activities that have disappeared. Could use an update! Already we will have to explain what terms like “Ring me” meant from when telephones housed an actual bell. Old fashioned but interesting.
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alda harris
5.0 out of 5 stars Trivia ago go
Reviewed in the United States on August 4, 2023
Verified Purchase
Lots of interesting facts and “aha” moments
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William K.
5.0 out of 5 stars Fun and informative
Reviewed in the United States on March 22, 2016
Verified Purchase
Explanations and histories of all sorts of phrases and words. Fun and informative.
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Old Fan
4.0 out of 5 stars This book is fun.
Reviewed in the United States on November 10, 2013
Verified Purchase
This is a great coffee table or bathroom book and will leave you with great stories to share at future gatherings with friends.It motivated me to purchse 3 more "expanded" books of the same type.
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Lorraine P. Zigman
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Resource!
Reviewed in the United States on August 4, 2014
Verified Purchase
Great resource of odd sayings and word origins, many of which I have used all my life never knowing where they came from. I would encourage anyone with interests along these lines to get a copy and enjoy it as I have.
One person found this helpful
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Fizz1987
5.0 out of 5 stars Replacement
Reviewed in the United States on February 3, 2013
Verified Purchase
I purchased this book as a replacement for one I had that got lost in my last move. I use it in the classroom to explain Idioms and their origins. While the book is old and dog eared it arrived quickly and I am thrilled to own it again.
One person found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
3.0 out of 5 stars Three Stars
Reviewed in the United States on February 15, 2015
Verified Purchase
Fun read mixed with a bit of historical lore and charm.
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curtis templeton
5.0 out of 5 stars Fun to read!
Reviewed in the United States on October 16, 2013
Verified Purchase
Picked this book up in a cabin in the wilderness of Alaska and enjoyed it so much that I bought it when I returned to Florida.
One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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書斎
5.0 out of 5 stars 成句の起源と発達の歴史を楽しむ
Reviewed in Japan on August 17, 2018
Verified Purchase
昔は受験英語でrain cats and dogsを必ず覚えたものだが、どうし���cats and dogsなのか疑問に思った人は多かったと思う。本書によると大雨には雷鳴がつきもので、それが騒々しい猫と犬のけんかを連想させてこの句が生まれたらしい。本書はこう言った成句をおよそ750句集め、それに句源やエピソードを備えたものである。収録はアルファベット順でないので辞典というより読み物である（もちろん巻末の索引を利用すれば成句辞書として利用できる）。
著者のTom Funkはイディオム研究家で、Heavens to Betsy! and Other Curious Sayings, Horsefeathers and Other Curious Wordsなどの書もある。併せて読みたい。
One person found this helpful
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