The blushing bride might blush still more if she knew where that word 'bride' came from and what it really means. Similarly, hay-fever sufferers might sneeze still more when they find that the bane of their lives has a lot to do with fish. As for the word 'pornography' - don't even ask. Tulloch has taken more than 500 words commonly used in the English language and delved into their origins and literal meanings. The result is both informative and entertaining - a sort of linguistic 'Call My Bluff' in which the oddest explanations often turn out to be the truth. For instance, you would be surprised to find a connection between Russian bears and videos, and you might find it hard to believe that a gnome should in fact be enormous. This is an ideal book for browsing and will hold the attention for hours of readers of all ages. (Kirkus UK)