WICKED WORDS BY TERRY DEARY

This book is awesome. It plays with the language and it explains some difficult aspects very easily.

• The Black Maria: the police van for taking criminals to prision is called the Black Maria. In 1830, in Boston, when the police arrived Maria, a strong black woman who helped loading the troublemakers onto the police wagon. That is way after years, the van is called this way.


• Hooligan: when someone calls you holligan is comparing you with Patrick Hooligan, who was one of the most important criminal from Ireland in 1890.


• Slidebrns: The hair than some men have under their eras are sideburns. Elvis had big siledurns. The word became popular when these whiskers were grow by a US General and sort of named after him, althought his name was Brunside.

I love when writer starts explaining some farcical figures of speech:

• Kick the bucket.


• Done in cold blood.


• To be in another person's shoes.


• Not worth your salt.


• Making both ends meet.


• Having green finger.


• A forlorn hope.


• As sure as eggs is eggs.


• As bald as a coot.

And there are many proverbs too:

• A teacher is better than two books.


• The wise man sits on the hole in his carpet.


• A bald head is soon shaved.


• Many a man's tongue has broken his nose.


• A man with a head of wax should not walk in the sun.


• It does not always rain when the pig squeals.


• When the mouse laughts at th cat there is a hole near by.

There are many others like:

• If the cockrels crows before he goes to bed, he's sure to rise with a watery head.


• You can hatch chikens fron fried eggs.


• Remember, two watermelons cannot be held under one arm.


• Cats in mittens catch no ice.


• He that lives on hope will die of hunger.


• Liars should have good memories.


• Dead men tell no tales.


• Dn't count your chicken before they hatch.


• God sents nuts to those that have no teeth.


• He who makes no mitakes makes nothing.


• There is no peace for the wicked.


• He who laughs last laughs longest.


• All good things come to an end.


• It is easier to pull down than to build.


• Actons speaks louder than words.

If you can, buy and read it, it is amazing.