{"product_id":"crystals-curiosity-cabinet-an-english-language-miscellany-9781399823890","title":"Crystal's Curiosity Cabinet: An English Language Miscellany","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eWhat do a comic alphabet, a glorious lipogram and a wellerism have in common?\u003c\/i\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ci\u003eOr, an audit of accountants, an illusion of magicians, and an intrusion of spammers?\u003c\/i\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ci\u003eAnd do you know how Shakespeare pronounced his name?\u003c\/i\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e Quirky, original, amusing and enlightening, this charming English Language Miscellany from David Crystal, one of the greatest British linguists of our time, offers fascinating observations on random, weird and witty words and expressions, collected over a number of years. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e Following the tradition of the Victorian miscellany and cabinets of curiosities, the 150+ random entries reveal the global, national, contemporary and historical impact of language, and will appeal to word lovers and fun-fact-fiends alike. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e Showcasing linguistic creativity in all its glory, and featuring a wide range of topics that reflect current language issues, such as accents, dialects, etymology, proverbs, place names, punctuation, everyday usage, and language change, this book provides a playful, entertaining and informative read on the bizarre nature of language. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBinding Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Hardcover\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Chambers\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 02\/03\/2026\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN:\u003c\/b\u003e 9781399823890\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 224\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 8.00h x 5.25w x 0.81d","brand":"David Crystal","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52085519122613,"sku":"9781399823890","price":14.44,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0473\/0804\/6492\/files\/img_be327088-807c-4efa-890f-4d3efe690ff0.jpg?v=1765294410","url":"https:\/\/pastforward.org\/products\/crystals-curiosity-cabinet-an-english-language-miscellany-9781399823890","provider":"Past Forward","version":"1.0","type":"link"}