Idioms and their Stories is the first of a four volume series, based on the popular column, Know Your English, which has been a regular feature in The Hindu since 1982. Teachers, students, and those who are keen on honing their speaking and writing skills will find the series useful. This volume contains a selection of more than 300 idioms, and each entry gives the meaning of the idiom, provides examples of its use, and wherever possible, traces its origin

Words Frequently Confused, the second volume in the four volume series, Know Your English, is based on S. Upendran’s popular weekly column published in The Hindu. It contains a selection of about 480 pairs of words that are frequently confused. Each entry gives the meaning of the words and points out the difference between them. Examples are also provided showing how the words can be used in everyday contexts. Some of the entries also contain information about the pronunciation and the etymol...

Is ‘tier’ pronounced the same way as ‘tyre’? Which syllable is stressed in ‘baton’ the first or the second? How is the word ‘danseuse’ pronounced? Are you friends with the ‘big cheese’ on campus? When you watch a film, do you have a sense of ‘déjà vu’?Vocabulary and Pronunciation Is a practical reference guide that provides answers to such questions. The selections included in the book highlight some of the everyday words that we mispronounce when speaking in English. In addition, the book...

This is the first of our four-volume series based on Know Your English, the popular weekly column published in The Hindu since 1982. Teachers, students and those who are keen on honing their speaking and writing skills will find the series useful. This enlarged and updated second edition contains a selection of 570 idioms. Each entry gives the meaning of the idiom, provides examples of its use and, wherever possible, traces its origins.

Do you enjoy being in 'crowdy' places? What is the plural of 'aircraft' and 'cattle'? Is it 'media are' or 'media is'? Do you have a 'soft spot' or a 'soft corner' for someone? Is it okay to say Tendulkar is the 'bestest' batsmen India has produced? Are you 'good at' or 'good in' cricket? Were you a 'topper' or 'ranker' in school? Why do software engineers want us to 'revert back ' to them? Do you pay 'in cash' or 'by cash'? Does your house have a big backside?Grammar and Usage, the third ...

Have you ever wondered where terms like ‘end of your tether’, ‘gets my goat’ or ‘letting ones hair down’ come from? Or why we call some people ‘geezers’, ‘sugar daddies’ or ‘lounge lizards’? Or where the words ‘eavesdropping’, ‘nickname’ and ‘D-Day’ come from? They are just a few of the many words and phrases that language expert Max Cryer examines in this fact-filled and fun new book. Max explains where these curious expressions come from, what they mean and how they are used. Along the w...

We are blessed with the greatest language on the planet. It has evolved through centuries and enriched by new application concepts throughout this period. It is rich beyond measure, remarkable in its subtleties and confounding to learn as a second language. Today we use the worlds richest stream of idioms and sayings without thought. And half the time we dont know what they really mean or from whence came their roots. This is a riveting little book that introduces readers to the colourful ori...

How on earth did 'with bells on' come to express enthusiasm? What do chips on shoulders have to do with inferiority complexes? And who is the face that launched a thousand ships? Did you know that 'the rule of thumb' refers to the use of the thumb to make measurements, as the first joint of the average adult thumb measures one inch?Spilling the Beans on the Cat's Pyjamas provides us with the meanings of these well-worn and much-loved phrases by putting these linguistic quir...

IELTS TECH - Vocal Cosmetics is the third book of the IELTS-Tech Series, an ideal for students aiming and striving hard to learn as well as improve their Vocal Cosmetics and Speech Therapy, specifically written and designed for the IELTS - International English Language Testing System Examinations. This book will not only enhance the Speaking Skills of the candidates, but will also be of great assistance to them in easily understanding and learning the technical aspect of IELTS related Spe...

In Burning the Midnight Oil, word-wrangler extraordinaire Phil Cousineau has gathered an eclectic and electric collection of soulful poems and prose from great thinkers throughout the ages. Whether beguiling readers with glorious poetry or consoling them with prayers from fellow restless souls, Cousineau can relieve any insomniac's unease. From St. John of the Cross to Annie Dillard, Beethoven to The Song of Songs, this refreshingly insightful anthology soothes and inspires all who struggl...

The steam engine shot out of the tunnel, snorting and puffing like a green, black and gold dragon, a beautiful monster out of Ranji's dreams . . .Fascinated by the midday train, Ranji would find himself waiting near the tunnel to catch a glimpse of the engine come roaring out of it. But the tunnel has more surprises for him. From a jungle full of lush green trees comes a timeless tale of unexpected friendship, curiosity, duty and wildlife.Peppered with delightful il...

Would you be down in the dumps if, when asked the definition of certain phrases, it was all Greek to you? Let's not beat about the bush: the English language is littered with linguistic quirks, which, out of context, seem completely peculiar. If you can't quite cut the mustard, this book will explain how on earth 'off the cuff' came to express improvisation, why a 'gut feeling' is more intuitive than a brainwave, and who the heck is 'happy' Larry. These expressions and countless more becom...