Carnal Knowledge : A Navel Gazers Dictionary of Anatomy, Etymology, and Trivia

English

ISBN: 0312371217

EAN: 9780312371210

Category: Language Arts & Disciplines / Etymology/Science / Life Sciences / Anatomy & Physiology/

Publisher: St. Martins Press

Release Date: 12/22/2011

Synopsis: From head to toe to breast to behind, Carnal Knowledgeis a delightfully intoxicating tour of the words we use to describe our bodies. Did you know: -eyeis one of the oldest written words in the English language? -callipygianmeans ?having beautiful buttocks?? -gam,a slang word for ?leg,? comes from the French wordjambe? A treat for anyone who gets a kick out of words,Carnal Knowledgeis also the perfect gift for anyone interested in the human body and the many (many, many) ways its been described. ?Delight your friends (or lose them rapidly) with this fabulous new knowledge presented with deftness and wit.? ---Lynn Truss, author ofEats, Shoots and LeavesandTalk to the Hand ?Master etymologist Charles Hodgson offers a passionate lesson...illuminates how just about every part of the amazing human chassis got its name.? ---Richard Lederer, author ofWord Wizard ?A near-perfect body of work that will not only entertain your brain but tickle your funny bone, too.? ---Erin McKean, editor in chief,The New Oxford American Dictionary(2nd ed.) ?More than a list of anatomical words and their meanings, Hodgsons book fleshes out the meaning behind the words. This is a blood-and-gutsencyclopedia, not some bone-drydictionary??. Even misologists (haters of knowledge) will find pleasure inCarnal Knowledge.? ---Robert Hartwell Fiske, author ofThe Dictionary of Disagreeable English, Deluxe Edition ?And you thought you knew your own body! A captivating trove of facts and history that will amuse and fascinate.? --- Jane Farrow,Wanted Words,CBC Radio CHARLES HODGSON is an engineer by training and a logophile (word lover) by habit. He produces a daily blog and podcast for word lovers at www.podictionary.com.

Awards: Benjamin Franklin Award – null 

Excerpt: Unknown Property Excerpt

Carnal Knowledge : A Navel Gazers Dictionary of Anatomy, Etymology, and Trivia

Illustrated: Yes

Format: Paperback

Height: 0.84 inches

Width: 5.43 inches

Length: 8.39 inches

Weight: 3.53 oz

Pages: 272