Port Out, Starboard Home

Can it really be true that 'golf' stands for 'Gentlemen Only Ladies Forbidden'? Or that 'rule of thumb' comes from an archaic legal principle that a man may chastise his wife, but only with a rod no thicker than his thumb?

These and hundreds of other stories are commonly told and retold whenever people meet. They grow up in part because expressions are often genuinely mysterious. Why, for example, are satisfying meals 'square' rather than any other shape? And how did anyone ever come up with the idea that if you're competent at something you can 'cut the mustard'?

Michael Quinion here retells many of the more bizarre tales, and explains their real origins where they're known. This is a fascinating treasure-trove of fiction and fact for anyone interested in language.

Title - Port Out, Starboard Home

Edition -

Author - Michael Quinion

ISBN 13 - 9780141012230

Imprint - Penguin Books Ltd

Publisher - Penguin Books Ltd

Date Published - 01/09/2005

Prize -

No. of pages -

Binding Type - Paperback

Dimensions - 111 x 181 x 35mm

Weight - 350 g

Languages - English