A comprehensive and up-to-date guide to the superstitions, old and new, of the English-speaking world, complete with their origins, meanings and variant forms. It includes just about everything from touching wood, identifying future lovers and walking under ladders to folk remedies, spells and modern beliefs relating to the lottery, the computer and the mobile phone. A first-class source book for the historian, folklorist and casual reader alike, it also offers antidotes to some of the mos...

Have you heard the one about the man who walked into a bar? (Ouch!)... Penguin Pocket Jokes is essential (and hilarious) reading for anyone searching for the perfect joke. Whether you want a snappy wisecrack or a longer rib-tickler when making a speech, this easy-to-use guide will provide the perfect witticism.

What's in a name? Rather more than you might at first suspect, for names are steeped in history and myth and have much to tell us about our past, our beliefs - even our personality traits. The Penguin Pocket Dictionary of Babies' Names takes a close look at 3500 names, explaining origins and meanings, showing how some have changed in popularity and use over time and providing all the diminutive and variant forms.Part of Penguin's major new series of reference titles ranging from Sp...

Perfect Pub Quiz is the ideal companion for all general knowledge nuts. Whether you're organising a quiz night in your local or you simply want to get in a bit of practice on tricky subjects, Perfect Pub Quiz has all the questions and answers. With topics ranging from the Roman Empire to Little Britain and from the Ryder Cup to Alex Rider, this easy-to-use quiz book will tax your brain and provide hours of fun.The Perfect series is a range of pra...

Of all the decisions a new parent makes, choosing that special name is the most significant and the most rewarding.A new reference book for prospective parents, this clear, helpful and easy-to-use A-Z guide gives you thousands of brilliant suggestions for picking the perfect name for your new arrival. It also includes appendices of the top ten names through the centuries and the most popular celebrity names.

What happens when a mysterious handmaiden, an immortal Wolf, and a kingdom on the brink of ruin become entangled in a battle that defies fate itself?A world of ancient secrets, perilous alliances, and forbidden desires awaits in Feast of Fates, the first book in the critically acclaimed Four Feasts Till Darkness series.Morigan is no one—an unassuming handmaiden with no past, no future, and no power. Or so she believes. But the mom...

What would you do to possess an object of unlimited power?When occult enthusiast Sir Giles Tumulty comes into possession of a stone known as the Crown of Solomon, he is amazed at its startling powers. It can replicate itself infinitely, and can transport its holder to any place or time.Sir Giles and his nephew Reginald, an opportunistic businessman, conspire to exploit their new treasure. Seeking to enlist honest Lord Arglay in their plans, Arglay quickly r...

Perfect Family Quiz is an invaluable source of entertainment for the whole family. Whether you're looking for a fun way to spend a rainy day, an activity for a long car journey, or you simply want to improve your general knowledge, Perfect Family Quiz has all the questions and answers. With topics ranging from Beatrix Potter to Harry Potter, and from prime ministers to prime-time TV, this easy-to-use quiz book will provide hours of fun for everyone.

A more-ishly browsable collection of words and phrases, linguistic quirks, lexical oddities and syntactic surprises.Our langauge is one of delight and curiosity. BUTTERING PARSNIPS, TWOCKING CHAVS is a guided tour of English, exploring the origins of words, their changing meaning, lexical peculiarities, word games and lost words, presented in lists, small passages of narrative text, amusing quotations and nuggets of amazing facts.This must-have compendium s...

From theatre to politics, no other single civilisation has influenced the Western world more profoundly than that of ancient Greece.From the roots of democracy to philosophy and mathematics, it’s fascinating to learn how much western civilisation has stemmed from that of ancient Greece. This book offers an introduction to the lives of the ancient Greeks, their mythologies and traditions and their culture and learning.With colour illustrations supporting a clear, informative...

All the essential facts on ancient Egypt covering mummification, the pharaohs, the pyramids and the mysterious rituals.The ancient Egyptians have fascinated and enthralled the minds of millions down the centuries. With extensive scientific knowledge, splendid architecture and many artistic and cultural achievements, their civilisation stood apart as being ahead of its time. This compact and informative guide is perfect for all those studying ancient Egypt, visiting the sights, or c...

Now available as an ebook, this acclaimed A-Z dictionary is a comprehensive and up-to-date guide to the superstitions, old and new, of the English-speaking world, complete with their origins, meanings and variant forms. It includes just about everything from touching wood, crossing fingers and identifying future lovers to folk remedies, spells and modern beliefs relating to the lottery, the computer and the mobile phone. A first-class source book for the historian, folklorist and casual re...