{"product_id":"the-word-detective-a-life-in-words","title":"The Word Detective: A Life in Words","description":"\u003cp style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 12.0pt 0cm;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: 'Segoe UI',sans-serif; color: #212b36;\"\u003eSecond-Hand\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: 'Segoe UI',sans-serif; color: #212b36;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 12.0pt 0cm;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: 'Segoe UI',sans-serif; color: #212b36;\"\u003eExcellent condition\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLanguage is always changing. No one knows where it is going but the best way to future-cast is to look at the past.\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eJohn Simpson animates for us a tradition of researching and editing, showing us both the technical lexicography needed to understand a word, and the careful poetry needed to construct its definition. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eHe challenges both the idea that dictionaries are definitive, and the notion that language is falling apart. With a sense of humour, an ability to laugh at bureaucracy and an inclination to question the status quo, John Simpson gives life to the colourful characters at the OED and to the English language itself. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eHe splices his stories with entertaining and erudite diversions into the history and origin of words such as 'kangaroo', 'hot-dog', 'pommie', 'bicycle', not ignoring those swearwords often classed as 'Anglo-Saxon'! \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe book will speak to anyone who uses a dictionary, 'word people', history lovers, students and parents.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"John Simpson","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42763545903273,"sku":"","price":7.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0424\/9518\/0962\/products\/word_6f061ead-b027-43c2-8881-87dae53c75c7.jpg?v=1669172221","url":"https:\/\/roseyravelstonbooks.com.au\/products\/the-word-detective-a-life-in-words","provider":"RoseyRavelston Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}