Crystal’s Curiosity Cabinet
An English Language Miscellany
(Author) David CrystalWhat do a comic alphabet, a glorious lipogram and a wellerism have in common? Or, an audit of accountants, an illusion of magicians, and an intrusion of spammers? And do you know how Shakespeare pronounced his name? Quirky, original, amusing and enlightening, this charming English Language Miscellany from David Crystal, one of the greatest British linguists of our time, offers fascinating observations on random, weird and witty words and expressions, collected over a number of years. Following the tradition of the Victorian miscellany and cabinets of curiosities, the 150+ random entries reveal the global, national, contemporary and historical impact of language, and will appeal to word lovers and fun-fact-fiends alike. Showcasing linguistic creativity in all its glory, and featuring a wide range of topics that reflect current language issues, such as accents, dialects, etymology, proverbs, place names, punctuation, everyday usage, and language change, this book provides a playful, entertaining and informative read on the bizarre nature of language.
David Crystal
David Crystal is a renowned linguist and author known for his work in the field of English language studies. His most famous work, "The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Language," is considered a seminal text in the field. Crystal's clear and accessible writing style has made complex linguistic concepts accessible to a wider audience.
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