Bøger af Stanley J. St Clair

Volume III completes almost 10 years of extensive research into colloquial and figurative English. The series, Most Comprehensive Origins of Clichés, Proverbs and Figurative Expressions is on the cutting edge of research of both the origins and the continuing evolution of English sayings, idioms and expressions, delving back in time to determine the most probable way the expressions began, following their path through the changes of the ages, and noting current trends of changing connotations. It even recalls some phrases from the past which are now antiquated, while picking up on others which are so fresh that they have barely been introduced. Better than any other printed work available today, it expounds on each entry and gives detailed results on years of study of the English spoken and written jargon, not only in America, but in the U.K. and Australasia, as well as numerous foreign expressions commonly used by English speaking journalists, authors and the general public. These three volumes contain the largest work of its type in print today, and a separate index book is being released simultaneously to this volume tying them all together, giving fingertip access to well over 4,000 entries. It is truly a unique work, and will set a high bar for future work in this field. The previous volumes have been included in libraries across America, and have received rave reviews from teachers, ministers, newspaper reporters and many others. The original volume has been accepted for a reference for a Doctorate Degree at a major university and to teach English as a second language, as well as being a conversation piece while entertaining company.

This is a book of pensive, inspirational short poems, written to reach the hearts of everyday people with a positive message of encouragement.

There are numerous reasons why persons in the public eye change their names (or have it done for them). For instance, why did Rudolf Walter Wanderone, Jr. and James A. Moore, Jr. both take the names of fictional characters that they claimed were based on them and how did doing so change their lives forever? At least 20 featured stars who took stage names were from Jewish immigrant families. Many were impoverished; some were abused; several were forced to work as young children to help pay bills. Many were from broken homes, and some never knew their biological fathers, often being placed in foster care. One worked as a prostitute, one a bootlegger, and one was a drug dealer. Several were jailed. One was expelled from school and many were dropouts. How did these broken individuals make it to the top of their fields? It took grit, encouragement, and likely, a new name. These are the stories of popular actors, singers, dancers, authors, sports figures, magicians, entrepreneurs, and broadcasters, each determined to create a public persona which he or she felt was worthy of his or her audience.

In what may just be the most detailed, accurate and comprehensive book of its type ever published, Stanley J. St. Clair, author of On the Origin of the Clichés and Evolution of Idioms, delves deep into the history of phrases and common English expressions, exposing numerous misconceptions and incorrect previously published origins. By enlarging the page size, using smaller print, and removing the illustrations and humorous antidotes, St. Clair is able to include all of the entries in his two previous volumes and double the combined number in this remarkable work.Many of our common catchphrases are actually misquotes, often even attributed wrongly. Did you know that "Me Tarzan, you Jane" was never used in any Tarzan book or movie? Are you aware of the fact that "Elementary, my dear Watson" never appeared in any of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes novels? Then from where did these quotes originate? Did you know that "umpteenth time" was in use almost 100 years before top printed sources claim? Did you know that "God willing and the Creeks don't rise" originally had nothing to do with streams of water? Did you know that "How do you like them apples?" was not referring to the fruit, and that the date of its first appearance in print is often wrongly stated?Unlike most phrase dictionaries, in many cases this work not only gives the definition and most likely origin, but early citations as well. With entries as ancient as "By the skin of my teeth" to as new as "Kicking the can down the road," this comprehensive work is sure to appeal to seekers of truth everywhere. The author welcomes your comments. This is the first of three books in this series.