A Hog on Ice: & Other Curious Expressions

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.

Good readGreat trivia

if you want to know about off the wall comments or sayings, this is the book for you. there are too many old, old sayings I haven't even heard of from my parents. I do like having the book

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.

Out of print and affordable! Thank you

If you enjoy words/phrases and their origins. It's set up like a dictionary. So can just look up any word or phrase that comes to mind.

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.

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.

昔は受験英語でrain cats and dogsを必ず覚えたものだが、どうして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。