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I Didn't Know That: From "Ants in the Pants" to "Wet Behind the Ears"--the Unusual Origins of the Things We Say

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Author: Karlen Evins
Publisher: Scribner
Category: Book

List Price: ~~$11.00~~
Buy New: $4.48
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New (33) Used (9) from $3.95

Avg. Customer Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars

6 reviews
Sales Rank: 15186

Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 176
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.3
Dimensions (in): 6.9 x 4.9 x 0.5

ISBN: 1416532382
Dewey Decimal Number: 423.1
EAN: 9781416532385
ASIN: 1416532382

Publication Date: May 15, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Condition: SATISFACTION GUARANTEED! NEW Book! May have remainder mark. Most orders ship within 1 BUSINESS DAY with ORDER CONFIRMATION.

Also Available In:

•	Kindle Edition - I Didn't Know That: From

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Editorial Reviews:

Product Description
Every common expression has a history, and it's often not what one would expect. I Didn't Know That offers a lighthearted yet enlightening look at the unusual origins of hundreds of words and sayings that pepper our language. From "ants in the pants" (a questionable old English home remedy) to the "whole nine yards" (which has nothing to do with lengths of fabric), here are the surprising and often amusing stories behind the phrases we use every day.

Karlen Evins fills in the background of these words and phrases and many more in fun, fascinating stories. If you've ever caught yourself wondering just how we came to say such curious things as "dressed to the nines" and "nincompoop," this clever little book will have you smiling and saying, "I Didn't Know That!"

Customer Reviews: Read 1 more reviews...

5 out of 5 stars

I Didn't Know That November 25, 2008
The book was just what it said it was. Also, it came quickly, was brand new; not damaged at all. Good experience!

5 out of 5 stars

Fun book! October 24, 2008
"I didn't Know that" is a fun book - easy to read. It's great for keeping in those places where you occasionally have an opportunity to sit down and relax. It would make a good gift for anybody! It's interesting to see where some of our common expressions and words come from - expressions like talk turkey or letting the cat out of the bag or happy as a clam. This is fun information that can enlighten you and give you interesting tidbits to interject into everyday conversation!

4 out of 5 stars

Dressed to the Nines February 18, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful

I thought this was a worthy companion to some of my other books on pop culture and aphorisms. It is a little short but contains a lot of well known and popular catchphrases. This book will give you plenty of "a-ha" moments. Well researched and clearly written. Buy this book. You won't be disappointed.

5 out of 5 stars

Great gift January 9, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

What a great gift! I set it out on the living room table and what a conversation starter. I loved it so much, I gave it out as gifts during the Holidays.

What a hit!!!

5 out of 5 stars

I like Karlen Evins June 7, 2007
1 out of 2 found this review helpful

I bought this book as gift for my wife on Mother's Day, and my wife is enjoying the book. I am from Nashville and have listened to Karlen on the radio here in Nashville, and she is a very talented "media" personality and I knew her book would be a HIT with my wife. It is a very entertaining read.