Anguished English: An Anthology of Accidental Assaults Upon the English Language

by Richard Lederer

Overview

The “impossible to put down” compendium of linguistic bloopers and blunders: a hilarious collection of malapropisms, mixed metaphors and more (San Francisco Chronicle).

In Anguished English, Richard Lederer collects some of the worst—and funniest—English language errors ever committed to print. From legendary student screwups to horrible headlines and cringe-worthy advertising copy, Lederer shares a treasure trove of laugh-out-loud flubs and gaffes worthy of a Pullet Surprise.

“Hilarious.”—Chicago Tribune

“Richard Lederer is the true king of language comedy. Anguished English is the funniest book I have ever read.”—Sidney Sheldon

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781423608912
Publisher:	Smith, Gibbs Publisher
Publication date:	05/29/2020
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	192
Sales rank:	126,295
File size:	4 MB

About the Author

Richard Lederer is the author of more than 35 books about language, history, and humor, including his best-selling Anguished English series. He is founding cohost of A Way with Words on public radio and his syndicated column, "Looking at Language," appears in newspapers and magazines throughout the United States. He lives in San Diego.

Read an Excerpt

One of the fringe benefits of being an English or history teacher is receiving the occasional jewel of a student blooper in an essay or test paper.

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION.....vii

I. SCHOOLISHNESS

Student Bloopers Win Pullet Surprises.....3

The World According to Student Bloopers.....7

Excuses, Excuses.....16

II. THE BLUNDERFUL WORLD OF BLOOPERS

Disorder in the Court!.....21

Accidental Bloopers.....27

Wholly Holy Bloopers.....31

It's an Ad, Ad, Ad, Ad, World.....37

Signs of the Times.....41

Welfare Bloopers Fare Well.....47

Stop the Presses!.....49

Two-Headed Headlines.....56

III. INSPIRED GIBBERISH

Modern Day Malapropisms.....69

Mixed-Up Metaphors.....77

An Irish Bull is Always Pregnant.....82

Goldwynisms and Berraisms.....87

Lost In Translation.....93

IV. GRAMMER GAFFES

Mangling Modifers.....101

References Wanted.....105

Laffing at Mispellings.....109

Howta Reckanize American Slurvian.....114