Publisher's Synopsis
English may well be the most spoken language in the world but what exactly do we mean when we talk about ‘the English language’? It is an ever-evolving (and frequently unusual) means of communication that can often leave the curious foreign traveller flummoxed. After all, who really is ‘er indoors?What is a stiff upper lip?And why are the English always so sorry?If there still is such a thing as ‘the Queen’s English’, then what can it tell us about the people who use it?
For every anorak, egghead or toff, The Queen’s Englishis the perfect guide to understanding what makes the English tick. From cricket to chips, the jumble sale to the white van man, Moore casts a quizzical eye over English passions and concerns and considers the influence on the language of English writers from Chaucer to Wodehouse. For those keen to uncover the peculiarities of the English lexicon, or those just hoping to fit in, this enlightening A-Z helps to breach the language barrier. The Queen’s Englishoffers rare insight into the quintessential qualities of the English race.
Christopher J. Moore is an Englishman. He is the author of the highly successful In Other Words. Christopher has a BA in Modern Languages, an Msc in Linguistics and is an author and editor for both adult and children’s books including a collection of Gaelic poetry.
