Horrible Words A Guide to the Misuse of English

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Horrible Words A Guide to the Misuse of English by Gowers, Rebecca, 9780141978970
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  • ISBN: 9780141978970 | 014197897X
  • Cover: Paperback
  • Copyright: 4/1/2018

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Nothing inflames the language gripers like a misplaced disinterested, an illogical irregardless, a hideous operationalisation. To purists these are 'howlers' and 'non-words', fit only for scorn. But in their rush to condemn such terms, are the naysayers missing something?

In this provocative and hugely entertaining book, Rebecca Gowers throws light on a great array of horrible words, and shows how the diktats of the pedants are repeatedly based on misinformation, false reasoning and straight-up snobbery. The result is a brilliant work of history, a surreptitious introduction to linguistics, and a mischievous salute to the misusers of the language. It is also a bold manifesto asserting our common rights over English, even as it questions the true nature of style.