What Made the Crocodile Cry? by Susie Dent

What Made the Crocodile Cry?: 101 Questions about the English Language by Susie Dent
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

It’s an interesting guide to the history of words and their phrases, but sometimes the entries digress into other similar phrases rather than the headline one which grabs your attention. In some respects, it’s an entire book of Countdown’s Dictionary Corner. There’s a fair amount of vulgar words but few of them overall are used in everyday slang. It’s almost as if it’s a book for someone who fancies a new catchphrase. Inside, there’s also photographs rather than illustrations which adds a more serious edge to the book rather than the fun image on the cover. A foreword by Jo Brand was quite surprising and I was even more surprised to learn that she’s bezzy mates with the author. However, the book does reveal some very fascinating histories and mysteries about phrases present and mostly past. Some are quite predictive if you know your history; others do tell a good story. And that’s really all we’re after with this book.

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