Words on the move : why English won't- and cant- sit still (like, literally)
(Book)

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Published
New York : Henry Holt and Co., 2016.
ISBN
9781627794718, 1627794719, 9781250143785, 1250143780
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Copies

LocationCall NumberStatus
Downers Grove Public Library - 2nd Floor - Adult422 MCWOn Shelf
Glen Ellyn Public Library - Adult Nonfiction417.7 MCWOn Shelf
Indian Prairie Public Library District - 1st Floor422 MCWHORTEROn Shelf
Oak Lawn Public Library - Stacks417.7 MCWHORTEROn Shelf
Westchester Public Library - Stacks417.7 MCWOn Shelf
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Published
New York : Henry Holt and Co., 2016.
Format
Book
Physical Desc
257 pages ; 22 cm
Language
English
ISBN
9781627794718, 1627794719, 9781250143785, 1250143780
UPC
40026554464

Notes

General Note
Includes index.
Bibliography
Includes bibliographical references (pages 233-241) and index.
Description
"A bestselling linguist takes us on a lively tour of how the English language is evolving before our eyes and why we should embrace this transformation and not fight it. Language is always changing -- but we tend not to like it. We understand that new words must be created for new things, but the way English is spoken today rubs many of us the wrong way. Whether its the use of literally to mean "figuratively" rather than "by the letter" or the way young people use LOL and like or business jargon like What's the ask?--it often seems as if the language is deteriorating before our eyes. But the truth is different and a lot less scary, as John McWhorter shows in this delightful and eye-opening exploration of how English has always been in motion and continues to evolve today. Drawing examples from everyday life and employing a generous helping of humor, he shows that these shifts are a natural process common to all languages, and that we should embrace and appreciate these changes, not condemn them. Words on the Move opens our eyes to the surprising backstories to the words and expressions we use every day. Did you know that silly once meant "blessed?" Or that ought was the original past tense of owe? Or that the suffix -ly in adverbs is actually a remnant of the word like? And have you ever wondered why some people from New Orleans sound as if they come from Brooklyn? McWhorter encourages us to marvel at the dynamism and resilience of the English language, and his book offers a lively journey through which we discover that words are ever on the move and our lives are all the richer for it"--,Provided by publisher.

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Citations

APA Citation, 7th Edition (style guide)

McWhorter, J. H. (2016). Words on the move: why English won't- and cant- sit still (like, literally) . Henry Holt and Co..

Chicago / Turabian - Author Date Citation, 17th Edition (style guide)

McWhorter, John H.. 2016. Words On the Move: Why English Won't- and Cant- Sit Still (like, Literally). Henry Holt and Co.

Chicago / Turabian - Humanities (Notes and Bibliography) Citation, 17th Edition (style guide)

McWhorter, John H.. Words On the Move: Why English Won't- and Cant- Sit Still (like, Literally) Henry Holt and Co, 2016.

MLA Citation, 9th Edition (style guide)

McWhorter, John H.. Words On the Move: Why English Won't- and Cant- Sit Still (like, Literally) Henry Holt and Co., 2016.

Note! Citations contain only title, author, edition, publisher, and year published. Citations should be used as a guideline and should be double checked for accuracy. Citation formats are based on standards as of August 2021.

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