Filled with detail and trivia, this book is an informative, nonspecialized, and often humorous consideration of the vitality and variety of the English language. The book examines the origins of language and the history of English; the process of word formation and the origins of words; the problem of jargon; the prevalence of slang; synonyms, antonyms, and homonyms; the art and variety of swearing and cursing; euphemism and taboo words; the role of logic in conveying and concealing ideas; scientific, emotive, and persuasive language; the distinction between poetry and prose; fundamental qualities of literary forms; satire and irony; black humor and cruelty; criticism and the critic; metaphor and symbolism; word games, anagrams, and proverbs; and the problems of misused and pretended language. (DS)