Over the Counter #165

What book caught my eye this week as it passed over the library counter and under my scanner? Books about words this week.

First up was The 2,548 Wittiest Things Anybody Ever Said by Robert Byrne.

From the publisher, Touchstone Books:

"A fresh selection of sharp, witty zingers gathered from both famous and utterly unknown (but very quotable) sources, by the editor of the popular The 2,548 Best Things Anybody Ever Said .

Robert Byrne’s quote books are widely praised as authoritative and accessible sources of sayings for any and all occasions. Byrne’s own wit, diligent research, and creativity combine to form a fresh go-to reference that serves readers better than Google—no Wi-Fi required. The 2,548 Wittiest Things Anybody Ever Said is an all-new collection of clever quips and laugh-out-loud punch lines from Gracie Allen to Frank Zappa, on such topics as sex, divorce, religion, fashion, animals, and money:

STEVE MARTIN: “I’d do anything for a good body except exercise and eat right.”
JON STEWART: “War is God’s way of teaching Americans geography.”
NORA EPHRON: “Successful parents have adult children who can pay for their own psychoanalysis.”

This compilation, to be enjoyed by generations young and old, deserves a place of honor on every language lover’s bookshelf."

Next up was Lord Sandwich and the Pants Man by Eamon Evans. Subititled:  Discover the people and places hidden in everyday words.

Well, how could you not want to flip through this one!?

From the publisher, Hardie Grant:

"Ever wondered who ‘the Joneses' were? Or what the original ‘peeping Tom' got up to? We all know that there was a ballerina named Pavlova and an earl named Sandwich, but there was also a Baron Lamington and a Queen Margarita, a Mr Booze and a Captain Fudge. Laszlo Biro invented the biro, Jules Leotard wore the first leotard, Charles Boycott endured the first boycott and Lord Cardigan loved a good cardigan. There really was a maverick named Maverick and a chauvinist named Chauvin. From literature we have The Iliad, which features a bully named ‘Hector' and a wise teacher named ‘Mentor'. From history we have Vandals, who were a destructive tribe, and the Zealots, who were an intolerant sect. Eager for more original and entertaining trivia to impress your friends? Eamon Evans' humorous collection of common eponyms shares the stories behind words and phrases popular throughout the world. Insightful, witty and … mostly accurate."

(Over the Counter is a regular feature at A Bookworm's World. I've sadly come to the realization that I cannot physically read every book that catches my interest as it crosses over my counter at the library. But...I can mention them and maybe one of them will catchy your eye as well. See if your local library has them on their shelves!)