From our earliest years we have heard proverbs, and many of them are repeated without much thought. Yes, 'birds of a feather flock together' and 'absence makes the heart grow fonder', but these sayings are so familiar that we are scarcely aware they are proverbs. It has been so for thousands of years, in every culture. It is only when someone like Max Cryer takes the time to look at them that we can see how these 'pearls of wisdom' have played such a key role in the moral guidance of every society. Sometimes the wisdom is distinctly odd, sometimes it has become outdated, and sometimes it is simply contradictory. After all, do 'many hands make light work' or do 'too many cooks spoil the broth'? You can't really have it both ways. Max Cryer has chosen some of the most interesting and perplexing, and with his characteristic wry wit he analyses their meaning and truth. A quirky, fascinating delve into the human psyche over millennia that has resulted in ... gems. -Northern Advocate

In day-to-day speech we use words and phrases without a passing thought as to why we use them or where they come from. Max Cryer changes all that by showing how fascinating the English language really is. Did you know that the former host of Today, Jane Pauley, claims to have coined the term bad hair day, or that a CBS engineer named Charley Douglass invented the name and use of canned laughter for television, or that cold turkey as a term for quitting something immediately was popularized by the novel and movie (starring Frank Sinatra), The Man with the Golden Arm? Here you'll learn the origins of credibility gap, my lips are sealed, the opera's not over until the fat lady sings, supermarket, supermodel, there's no accounting for taste, thick as thieves, and hundreds more. For anyone who loves language, this new book will take the cake.

For anyone who has ever puzzled over why we say 'spill the beans', 'spitting image', and a plethora of other weird and wonderful phrases! Find the truth behind the expressions we use. Have you ever wondered where terms like 'end of your tether', 'gets my goat' or 'letting one's hair down' come from? Or why we call some people 'geezers', 'sugar daddies' or 'lounge lizards'? These are just a few of the many words and phrases that language expert Max Cryer examines in this fact-filled and fun new book. In this etymological tour of English's oddest expressions, Max Cryer sheds light on their origins and uses through time. Along the way he tells a host of colourful anecdotes and dispels quite a few myths - Did Churchill originate the phrase 'black dog'? And if 'ivory tower' can be found in the Bible, why has its meaning changed so drastically? Bulging with information, Curious English Words and Phrases is a treasure trove for lovers of language. Informative, amusing and value for money, this book is 'the real McCoy'. From 'couch potato' to 'Bob's your uncle', you'll find the explanation here!

Did you know that the Bible does not mention cats at all? Do you know where the word caterpillar comes from? Why do we think cats have nine lives? How much of our great literature refers to cats--and what do authors say? These are the questions that many cat owners have pondered at one time or another. At last, all the cat references in our language have been gathered in one place to provide a informative, fun, and comprehensive resource on the feline species--it's the cat's pajamas.

In this revealing book, Max Cryer explores the truth or otherwise of facts and beliefs we may have always been told are true, but which on closer examination may not be. In a wide-ranging book encompassing social history, language, music, politics, food, sport, the natural world and much more, we discover the truth behind some of our most cherished beliefs. For example:

Do St Bernard dogs really carry brandy?

Does Santa Claus come from the North Pole?

Did Winston Churchill coin the term 'Iron Curtain'?

'OK' is an American expression, right?

Tulips come from Holland, don't they?

Did Sarah Palin say 'I can see Russia from my house?'

Did Alexander Graham Bell invent the telephone?

Lady Godiva rode naked through Coventry - didn't she?

Max Cryer is a seasoned author who is incapable of writing a dull word. Always fresh and amusing, he will take you on a journey through your acquired knowledge, testing whether it is really up to scratch.

We cannot get enough of cats: from ancient times they have occupied a special place in many different cultures around the world. They have also generated a fascinating array of words, expressions and observations, as well as poems, books, movies, cartoons and artworks. In this witty and entertaining book, Max Cryer celebrates cats and allthey have given to us.He describes the many words and expressions they have inspired, from 'catnip' and 'catwalk' to 'the cat's whiskers' and 'raining cats and dogs', as well as famous cat characters like Garfield, Felix the Cat, The Cat in the Hat and Puss in Boots, songs as varied as 'What's New Pussycat?' and 'The Cats' Duet', and poems like 'The Owl and the Pussycat' and 'Hey Diddle Diddle'. The cats owned by famous celebrities are described, from Elizabeth Taylor's 'Jeepers Creepers' to Dr Johnson's 'Hodge'. In other chapters he explores cats' attributes, the strength of their night vision and sense of smell, their sleep requirements, life expectancy and much more. Surprising facts - and spurious fictions - can be found on almost every page.

Everything you ever wanted to know about cats can be enjoyed in this magnificent compendium of a book. It is a delight from beginning to end to be read with one on your lap.