Monday, April 12, 2010

Book Review: Why You Say It

Why You Say It by Webb Garrison is the compilation of sayings, words and phrases and how they came to be used as part of everyday language. The author gives a great deal of historical and traditional information into the original use or meaning of the word and then explains the word as it is currently or popularly used.

When I started reading the introduction, I thought I was in for an interesting and entertaining learning experience. It started to tell the story of where the phrase "sideburns" comes from which we had just been discussing at the dinner table.

Unfortunately, I found that this and many other explanations fell flat. While heavy on the historical explanation, many entries seemed to be lacking a sentence or two which actually connected the dots of why we use it now as a "saying". Additionally, I felt it could have been more lighthearted and therefore more entertaining.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”




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