Red Herrings and White Elephants Paperback – January 1, 2007

I never questioned the origin of While Elephants, Red Herrings, or any of the other many ideomatic phrases that we use everyday, but a friend of mine bought me this book and I was blown away!The author has done a stunning job of explaining the stories behind a myriad of phrases.The book is informative, funny, entertaining, and just incredibly well done.I have since bought it again to give as gifts.Great!

Perfect for the coffee table. There are so many phrases that we frequently use that really don't make that much sense today. It's fun to read the origins. So far only "here's mud in your eye" is the only one I have not found.

I stumbled on the History Channel's show America's Secret Slang episodes and found it very interesting so I searched Amazon and purchased the kindle edition of this book. I attend a monthly luncheon and thought it would be fun to quiz my friends and share these fun and interesting facts.

Phrases and colloquialisms are part of everyday conversation so now you know their derivation. Very cool !

This book is a ton of fun. Okay, it may not be the most concise but for what it is it is fun. It was written by the Brits though and so a few of the phrases I've never heard. If you are a know it all, crazy about etymology or you just enjoy oddball trivia books, this book is fun, very informative.

This is one of those books that is great for riding the subway or taking the bus. Nice short tidbits that are fascinating to read and many stick in the memory. My problem with the book is that there are some rather glaring errors. The first of which is the idea that Indians (people from India) were used as slaves in the United States. If errors like that pop up it makes me wonder what else in there is wrong. Even if the conclusions that Jack comes to are not the end all be all, they certainly do entertain and give food for thought. In many ways, the book is like a cultural history of England as well. I learned about as much about the idioms as I did about the lives of everyday people throughout the history of the British Isles.

Bought this for a gift and its exactly what I was expecting. The person who is getting it will love it. It has all the odd phrases we commonly say and explains where they came from and what they originally meant.

This book delivers what it promises in its title. Especially for a lay person like myself this was interesting and quite sufficient information about idioms in the English language that apparently are disappearing. Scholars may want more and could be disappointed.

Red Herrings and White Elephants by Albert Jack is a delightful collection of over 500 phrases, each with a fascinating and often humorous origin story. Reading this book is like taking a journey through the history, uncovering the quirky and unexpected beginnings of phrases we use every day. It's a treasure of "useless" historical knowledge that will leave you both informed and entertained.Albert Jack's exploration of these idioms not only sheds light on their often-surprising origins but also provides insights into how to use them correctly. It's a valuable resource for anyone interested in language and culture.As you dive into the book, you'll discover that it's a true gem, packed with colorful anecdotes and historical tidbits. It's a journey where you'll encounter everything from the mysteries of "saved by the bell" to the curious origins of "mind your Ps and Qs." With every turn of the page, you'll be treated to a delightful mix of history, language, and wit.In a world where idiomatic expressions are as ubiquitous as they are enigmatic, "Red Herrings and White Elephants" offers a fun and educational way to demystify these linguistic quirks. It's a must-read for anyone curious about the rich tapestry of English and the fascinating stories behind the phrases we take for granted.

Just great to look up those various sayings that were once thrown around!

I have enjoyed finding out the origins of sayings and other common phrases. Easy to pick up and put down as preferred

Awesome

Los idioms no se traducen literalmente en español, y poder comprender su significado y de dónde vienen es apasionante para quienes amamos los idiomas o para quienes quieren aprender un poco de ese inglés que no se aprende en los tradicionales libros de texto.