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Say What?: The Origins of Everyday Idioms and Phrases
Explore the Fascinating Histories and Fun Facts Behind the Words We Use: Why Do We Say That?
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Narrated by:
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Slade Hovick
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By:
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Riddleland
About this listen
Uncover the Surprising Stories Behind the Words We Use Every Day!
Ever wondered why we "let the cat out of the bag" or "kick the bucket"? Dive into the fascinating world of linguistics with "Say What? The Origins of Everyday Idioms and Phrases"–your ultimate guide to understanding the quirky expressions that pepper our language!
From ancient proverbs to modern slang, this book takes you on an exhilarating journey through the history of our most beloved idioms and phrases. Discover how our language has evolved, shaped by culture, history, and human imagination.
Inside you will discover:
- How being "a fly on the wall" connects to the world of espionage and eavesdropping.
- Why "beating around the bush" has roots in medieval hunting practices
- How "breaking the ice" relates to ancient maritime traditions
- Why "buttering someone up" isn't as delicious as it sounds
- How "being caught red-handed" links to an old Scottish law
- What poultry has to do with "chickening out" of a situation
* And many, many more!
Whether you're a language enthusiast, a curious person, or someone looking to spice up their vocabulary, "Say What?" offers something for everyone. This book isn't just a word origins dictionary–it's a celebration of the vivid, imaginative ways we express ourselves.
Embark on this captivating exploration of idiomatic expressions and discover the stories hidden in the words we use every day. Get ready to say "Aha!" as you uncover the delightful histories behind our everyday language.
Click the Buy Now button at the top of the page to unravel the mysteries behind popular sayings and become the most interesting conversationalist in any room!
©2024 Riddleland (P)2024 RiddlelandListeners also enjoyed...
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Identifying covert emotional manipulation is tricky. You sense something is wrong, but you can't quite put your finger on the problem. This powerful book will reveal to you if manipulation is at play in your relationships. It will open your eyes. You will learn 30 tactics manipulators use to get what they want. You will also learn to spot the warning signs within yourself that expose covert manipulation is taking place, even if you can't identify the specific tactics being used.
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This book can change your life!
- By Cat O. on 04-04-18
By: Adelyn Birch
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Fluent Forever (Revised Edition)
- How to Learn Any Language Fast and Never Forget It
- By: Gabriel Wyner
- Narrated by: Gabriel Wyner
- Length: 11 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
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At thirty years old, Gabriel Wyner speaks six languages fluently. He didn’t learn them in school—who does? Rather, he learned them in the past few years, working on his own and practicing on the subway, using simple techniques and free online resources—and here he wants to show others what he’s discovered. This is brain hacking at its most exciting, taking what we know about neuroscience and linguistics and using it to create the most efficient and enjoyable way to learn a foreign language in the spare minutes of your day.
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A great guide to thinking about learning.
- By Anonymous User on 01-02-25
By: Gabriel Wyner
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Mind Mapping
- Improve Memory, Concentration, Communication, Organization, Creativity, and Time Management
- By: Kam Knight
- Narrated by: Jim D Johnston
- Length: 5 hrs
- Unabridged
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This is a comprehensive guide to learning about a wonderful technique called mind maps. Mind maps are an amazing organizational and creativity tool that can improve memory, concentration, communication, organization, creativity, and time management.
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make sure to practice
- By Meryem on 04-24-17
By: Kam Knight
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There's No Such Thing as Bad Weather
- A Scandinavian Mom's Secrets for Raising Healthy, Resilient, and Confident Kids (from Friluftsliv to Hygge)
- By: Linda Åkeson McGurk
- Narrated by: Ann Richardson
- Length: 8 hrs and 39 mins
- Unabridged
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Bringing Up Bébé meets Last Child in the Woods in this lively, insightful memoir about a mother who sets out to discover if the nature-centric parenting philosophy of her native Scandinavia holds the key to healthier, happier lives for her American children.
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Great concept, interesting writing.
- By Kate on 11-03-17
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Dark Alliance
- The CIA, the Contras, and the Crack Cocaine Explosion
- By: Gary Webb
- Narrated by: Christian Rummel
- Length: 20 hrs and 28 mins
- Unabridged
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In July 1995, San Jose Mercury-News reporter Gary Webb found the Big One - the blockbuster story every journalist secretly dreams about - without even looking for it. A simple phone call concerning an unexceptional pending drug trial turned into a massive conspiracy involving the Nicaraguan Contra rebels, L.A. and Bay Area crack cocaine dealers, and the Central Intelligence Agency.
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Bigger than You Thought
- By Susie on 04-28-14
By: Gary Webb
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How to Write Best-Selling Fiction
- By: James Scott Bell, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: James Scott Bell
- Length: 12 hrs and 38 mins
- Original Recording
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Most people think the way to write a best seller is to have a lot of talent and even more luck. As you will learn, there is a recipe for success, and luck may be the least important ingredient in creating a best seller. No one has cracked the code better than James Scott Bell. A best-selling author himself, and the author of the number-one best seller for writers, Plot & Structure, Mr. Bell has been teaching the principles of best-selling fiction for over 20 years, principles that apply to any genre or style.
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I'm a writer and this course is to blame.
- By accentrique on 07-22-19
By: James Scott Bell, and others
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No Calculator? No Problem!
- Mastering Mental Math
- By: Art Benjamin, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Art Benjamin
- Length: 5 hrs and 46 mins
- Original Recording
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No Calculator? No Problem! Mastering Mental Math , award-winning professor of mathematics and celebrated “mathemagician” Arthur T. Benjamin delivers 10 fun-filled lessons on how to do math in your head with confidence, accuracy, and speed - sometimes faster than a calculator. By the end of Professor Benjamin’s lessons, you’ll be able to add, subtract, multiply, and divide numbers faster than ever before. And with your newfound skills, you’ll soon find yourself amazing other people and, perhaps more important, yourself.
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Excellent but need PDF
- By Majeed on 10-15-19
By: Art Benjamin, and others
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The Story of Western Science
- From the Writings of Aristotle to the Big Bang Theory
- By: Susan Wise Bauer
- Narrated by: Julian Elfer
- Length: 8 hrs and 3 mins
- Unabridged
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Far too often, public discussion of science is carried out by journalists, voters, and politicians who have received their science secondhand. The Story of Western Science shows us the joy and importance of reading groundbreaking science writing for ourselves and guides us back to the masterpieces that have changed the way we think about our world, our cosmos, and ourselves.
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Good text, tedious book structure
- By Diane K. on 10-07-15
By: Susan Wise Bauer
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Our Magnificent Bastard Tongue
- The Untold History of English
- By: John McWhorter
- Narrated by: John McWhorter
- Length: 5 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
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A survey of the quirks and quandaries of the English language, focusing on our strange and wonderful grammar. Why do we say "I am reading a catalog" instead of "I read a catalog"? Why do we say "do" at all? Is the way we speak a reflection of our cultural values? Delving into these provocative topics and more, Our Magnificent Bastard Tongue distills hundreds of years of fascinating lore into one lively history.
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Great for casual linguists
- By Bertie on 01-11-10
By: John McWhorter
What listeners say about Say What?: The Origins of Everyday Idioms and Phrases
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Butterflywings09
- 11-04-24
Fun Facts!
I had so much fun listening to this audiobook! It dives into the quirky histories behind the phrases we use every day, and it’s packed with interesting tidbits that make you think, “Oh, that’s where that comes from!” I found myself sharing what I learned with friends and family, which made for some great conversations. It’s perfect for anyone who loves trivia or just enjoys learning something new in a casual, entertaining way. Definitely recommend!
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- Rhonda C
- 11-06-24
Totally Fun Facts
My family loves trivia so I wanted to give book a go. My kids and I listened to this audiobook while out and about running errands and then kept listening because it was so fun! The histories behind some of the phrases were so funny. Things we say every day, that make you think, “Oh, that’s where that comes from!” Fun tidbits are throughout the book. This would be fun as a gift or perfect for a road trip. I found myself sharing these fun facts with friends and family, just to see who else new these things. Which made for some great conversations. Really enjoyed this book.
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- InsightfulReader
- 11-04-24
Fun Dive into Everyday Language
This audiobook is a delightful journey through the quirky history of common phrases we use without a second thought. Each idiom has its own backstory, and I found myself surprised (and laughing) at where some of them come from! It’s engaging and well-narrated, making it easy to learn while being entertained. If you're a language lover or just curious about the words we say, this is a must-listen.
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- Alisha Kapani
- 01-21-25
Entertaining read!
This book is a delightful deep dive into the quirky stories behind the idioms we use every day. It’s packed with fascinating historical tidbits and cultural insights that will make you see language in a whole new way. Perfect for language lovers and anyone who enjoys learning fun, unexpected facts!
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- Anonymous User
- 02-11-25
FUN LISTEN!!
I was amazed to learn the surprising origins behind everyday idioms and phrases we often take for granted. This book brought so many expressions to life in a fun, engaging way. If you're curious about language and enjoy quirky facts, this book is a must-listen!
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- Rachel B
- 01-23-25
Fun Listen!
I listened to this audiobook out of curiosity and glad I did! It was fun to learn the history behind phrases you hear all your life. Some examples are "back to the drawing board", "barking up the wrong tree", "caught red handed", "knock on wood", you get the idea. I can see listening to this on a long car ride to keep everyone entertained.
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- Jimmy Domingo
- 11-09-24
a real treat!
It takes you on a fun journey through the history of common sayings and phrases that we use every day without even thinking twice about where they came from. The author does a fantastic job of making the explanations both informative and entertaining. Some of the stories behind the expressions are absolutely wild and made me look at everyday language in a whole new way! It’s clear that the author has a deep love for language and enjoys sharing these quirky, often forgotten tidbits with listeners. Highly recommend it to anyone curious about where our weird sayings come from!
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- Mike M
- 01-21-25
Super Fun and Interesting!
Ever wondered why we "spill the beans" or "let the cat out of the bag"? This book has become my go-to for unraveling the quirky backstories of the phrases we use without a second thought. It’s a fascinating journey through language that makes you chuckle and marvel at the origins of everyday idioms. Each explanation is a mini history lesson, making it a hit at dinner parties and a fun read during my commute. It’s not just informative—it’s a conversation starter and a real treat for anyone who loves to geek out over words and their hidden histories.
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- Whitney Beeland
- 02-05-25
Fun Language Journey
This book is a delightful exploration of where everyday phrases come from, and the stories behind them are fascinating. From "breaking the ice" to "kicking the bucket," I was constantly amazed by how language has evolved. The author’s engaging storytelling style made learning about idioms both fun and memorable. It’s a perfect listen for language lovers or anyone curious about the origins of the expressions we use daily.
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- Joseph Mendoza
- 01-28-25
Words that has Idioms and Phrases
I never pay attention to how our language has evolved and shaped our culture, history, and our human imagination. I bought this book because I was curious to learn vocabulary that may sound like “Why Do We Say That?” it has a meaning, and if we read a book story, it has hidden words we use daily. The audiobook throws examples of idiomatic expression. The narrator fits the story, and I intend to listen to this audiobook again to understand better and learn more. It's a fun book for both kids and parents.
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