Spread the word
By: William Safire ; illustrations by Terry Allen
Edition: 1st ed
Publisher: Times Books
Published: 1999
Place of publication: New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 305
Subjects: English language -- Usage; English language -- Style
Other titles: New York times magazine
Description: "In the two decades that Safire has entertained and enlightened readers of his weekly column, he has consistenly enlivened our national conversation about what's new and what's acceptable in language. In Spread the Word, he adroitly dissects the evolution of current phrases, verbal trends, and the origins of colloquialisms that often go unexamined. He tackles all topics, from the habits of newspaper editorial writers to teenagers' argot to the often tortured speech of politicians."--BOOK JACKET.

"In this vigorous and erudite assemblage, which is organized alphabetically by topic, Safire shares his curiosity about how we use words with an approach that is often amusing and always thought-provoking. In fact, "On Language" columns often elicit passionate comments from Safire's readers, the Lexicographic Irregulars. A lively selection of their letters on specific linguistic issues is interspersed throughout the book."--BOOK JACKET.
Notes: A collection of the author's weekly columns "On language" from the New York times magazine

Includes index