Even in the modern world with a trained police force it can be hard to catch criminals Centuries ago life was so much more vulnerable in many ways and there was a greater sense of community and with much fewer in the way of state assets. In medieval England, the best arrangement was the so-called… Continue reading Raising a Hue and Cry
Tag: Idioms
50 sayings that are off to the knackers yard!
A few years ago I wrote a book called My New Book – Straight from the Horse’s Mouth : 100 Idioms, their Meanings and Origins which always sells quite by my standards, especially at Christmas. Words and sayings have been such a rich source of our culture and often inspired by history, even if it is… Continue reading 50 sayings that are off to the knackers yard!
It’s not exactly rocket science nor brain surgery come to that!
I remember a few years ago as I waited with anticipation for a tourist who was going to be the very first to experience a brand new tour. I had offered to meet him at his hotel but he insisted that he was happy using the London Underground and that he was only 3 or… Continue reading It’s not exactly rocket science nor brain surgery come to that!
A piss-poor history of urine
I’m going to try not to use the P word too much in this post, as tempting as it is as that would be taking the Pee but urine has actually had a long history of practical uses especially in medicine. None other than Pliny the Elder back in Rome recommended fresh urine for the… Continue reading A piss-poor history of urine
Words that are becoming extinct
Like many of us, I am a big fan of and user of words. One of my most popular blog posts is 102 great words that aren’t in English but should be102 great words that aren’t in English but should be. I’m also a fan of etymology, the study of the origin of words and… Continue reading Words that are becoming extinct
There’s English and there’s English.
Language is very important to all of us, which ever one it is that we speak. Over 20,000 people a year read my old post on 102 Words That Aren’t In English But Should Be 102 Words That Aren’t In English But Should Be. A few weeks ago however a report appeared that put the cat… Continue reading There’s English and there’s English.
Predicting the weather with Old Wives Tales
Most of us are familiar with Old Wives Tales, traditional pearls of wisdom from sources lost through the ages but seemingly tapping into an eternal truth that is only revealed to older married women whose only qualification is a lifetime of experience. They cover all areas of life but not least the weather. Despite being… Continue reading Predicting the weather with Old Wives Tales
Two choicest Idioms – Butter Up & As Mad As A Hatter
A few weeks ago my new book, Straight From The Horse’s Mouth was released in Paperback and Kindle formats and I have been waiting for it to work its way through onto Apple iBooks. As it is now live, I thought I would post up two of the 101 idioms that make up Straight… Continue reading Two choicest Idioms – Butter Up & As Mad As A Hatter
My New Book – Straight from the Horse’s Mouth : 100 Idioms, their Meanings and Origins
Today is one of those wonderful days that can be the highlight of my creative year, the launch day of my latest book. I’ve always enjoyed words and sayings, some of them archaic that seemingly make no sense to us today. The history of language and word usage is the history of us. Straight from… Continue reading My New Book – Straight from the Horse’s Mouth : 100 Idioms, their Meanings and Origins
Ragnarok 2017 Convention and Book Signing
I’m thrilled to announce that I have been invited to have a table at Ragnarok 2017 at the Well End Activity Centre, Well End, Borehamwood which is just outside London and off the A1M. Ragnarok runs 9am-6pm next weekend, Saturday the 3rd and Sunday 4th June 2017. Organised by Thors Hammer Gaming Club, Ragnarok is… Continue reading Ragnarok 2017 Convention and Book Signing
Stephen Liddell 