Author:Geoffrey Hughes
Tracing the history of swearing from ancient Anglo-Saxon traditions and those of the Middle Ages, through Shakespeare, the Enlightenment and the Victorians, to the Lady Chatterley trial and various current trends, Geoffrey Hughes explores a fascinating, little discussed yet irrespressible part of our linguistic heritage. This second edition contains a Postscript updating various contemporary developments, such as the growth of Political Correctness.
Michael Quinion's World Wide Words is the web authority on English etymology (word origins) and usage-come here for definitive information on some of the most interesting, amusing and downright weird words and phrases in the English language.
—— Cambridge Dictionaries Online web site (February 2003)With his usual wit and occasional obscenity, he takes us through an array of metrical forms and poetic structures, talking to us like a cajoling hearty teacher
—— Sunday TelegraphIntelligent and informative, a worthy enterprise well executed
—— ObserverA smart, sane and entertaining return to basics
—— Daily TelegraphFunny and instructive
—— Spectator