Say What? The Origins of Everyday Idioms and Phrases: Explore the Fascinating Histories and Fun Facts Behind the Words We Use - Why do We Say That?

I love knowing interesting little tid bits (like where idioms started) and I love being able to pass that interest on to my kiddos, and this books makes it easy! I love how each idiom has its own chapter, the extra fun facts are a bonus plus the list of other idioms not covered in the end are a smart way to start your own research (if you want). The writing is funny and easy to follow and engaging for my kids!

This is a very well-written book that explains idiom origins and lots of other interesting history. I really loved reading it. It's great for kids and anyone with English as a second language! Recommended!

I grew up hearing the idioms, and I guess Midwesterners all know these. It was fun to read their origins; I knew many of them. My concern about the book is that it seemed poorly edited—I found spelling errors. The author should check it out. It was a fun read, though!

Say What, is packed full of interesting facts sure to keep readers entertained for hours. It was easy to read and quite interesting. I enjoyed learning about the language, culture, and history of the idiom's origin. This is a delightful read and made reading about the linguistics of language very fascinating!

I read Say What? The Origins of Everyday Idioms and Phrases with my child, and we both enjoyed discovering the fascinating histories behind common expressions we use daily. The book dives into each idiom’s origin, with interesting backstories that tie back to history and culture. My child especially loved learning about expressions like “buttering someone up” and “caught red-handed.” However, the book sometimes took a while to get to the point of each idiom's explanation, and the writing could benefit from quicker transitions. Nonetheless, it’s a fun, educational read for all ages.

This was a really enjoyable read. I appreciate the effort it took to find the origins. Author did an excellent job of explaining. I like that each phrase is a new chapter. The fun facts related to each phrase was a nice touch. I would recommend this book

I have another book like this, but it only provides one or two sentences of explanation. This one, however, actually explains the context so that it makes sense, rather than a matter of trivia. I also appreciate the author's attempt to categorize the idioms by alphabetizing them, but it's a little tricky because not everyone frames idioms the same way when they use them. Nonetheless, it's a welcome addition that helps to scan for a particular entry.

This book was super fun. My wife and i learned so much from this book. She didnt know what idioms were, so it was very entertaining to where the phrases came from. Good read

Great book to read if you are interested in where our every day sayings come from … ( example: “Barking up a wrong tree!” ) As a teacher, I would have used this book with older students when teaching literature, creative writing or just to add interest to days in the classroom ( example: Did you know…? ) Perfect choice for an educator, promising writer, or person fascinated with the history of language. Good book to have as a bathroom reader, coffee table selection or in a waiting room! ( I learned lots from it myself! )

What a great and fun book to have! I had no idea that Al capone was responsible for the term ''Money Laundrering" And i also enjoyed the fun fucts on the end of each chapter.

"Say What?" by Riddleland is a fun, quick dive into the quirky origins of everyday idioms like "the whole nine yards" and "raining cats and dogs." Each phrase is explained concisely, with humor and insight, making this book an entertaining read for trivia lovers and language enthusiasts alike. Riddleland’s style is light and engaging, offering interesting historical tidbits without overwhelming detail. Ideal for anyone curious about the stories behind common expressions, "Say What?" is an enjoyable, accessible read that brings language to life in a refreshing way.

I bought this book for my niece. She says it is very fun and interesting. A book with excellent information about Idioms and phrases and where d they come from. Highly recommended

I wanted to like this book. I really did. As someone who regularly looks up idioms to better understand their origins, it felt like a natural fit.However, for me, it missed the mark. I found the descriptions to follow random tangents about unrelated things rather than focusing on the phrase and its usage throughout history. What’s more than that - the information was not always correct. I wish I could give it more stars, but between the fact checking and the rambling, I simply cannot.