Judy Parkinson

How on earth did 'with bells on' come to express enthusiasm? What do chips on shoulders have to do with inferiority complexes? And who is the face that launched a thousand ships? Did you know that 'the rule of thumb' refers to the use of the thumb to make measurements, as the first joint of the average adult thumb measures one inch?Spilling the Beans on the Cat's Pyjamas provides us with the meanings of these well-worn and much-loved phrases by putting these linguistic quirks in context, and explaining how and why they were first used. Absorbing, diverting and fascinating - as far as gift books go, Spilling the Beans really is the bee's knees!

Popular Expressions -- What They Mean and Where We Got Them

Spilling the Beans on the Cat's Pyjamas

Mr. Renny's paintings are so good that they almost appear real. But no one seems to pay them any attention-until a strange man offers to make everything that Mr. Renny paints come to life. First there's the painting of the apple, which Mr. Renny can now eat. Then there's a huge hotdog, a new car, a cruise liner... Mr. Renny paints himself a life of luxury-until his friend Rose comes to ask if she can buy one of his paintings. But he doesn't have any real paintings left! The spell must be broken-and soon! A book containing subtle references to the work of Belgian surrealist Ren Magritte, the illustrations are full of clever and amusing details.

Old-school Ways to Remember Stuff

I Before E (except After C)

popular expressions, what they mean and how we got them

Spilling the beans on the cat's pajamas

'Claiming there are only 150 key things you really need to know that have shaped in the story of Britain, this book delivers them in easy to swallow, bite-sized chunks' - Best of BritishA bestseller in 2008, Remember Remember has continued to enlighten and entertain readers wanting to brush up on their history. Lively, exciting, full of great stories and humorous asides, this book looks at the key events in British history, covering all the important dates, people and events. Each subject is presented in short, self-contained 'articles', designed to be dipped into on the readers whim. Concise and authoritative, Remember, Remember makes history interesting and accessible for everyone once again.

The History of Britain in Bite-sized Chunks

Remember, Remember (the Fifth of November)

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER From civil wars to world wars . . . from the Black Death to the Bard to the Blitz, here is the sweeping saga of the storied history of Britain in bite-sized chunks. Was Bloody Mary the same as Mary, Queen of Scots? How many King Henrys were there—and which was which? Who won the Wars of the Roses—and why does it matter anyway? From the darkest days of the Hundred Years War to the brutal religious battles of the sixteenth century to the eponymous age of Queen Victoria—on whose empire the sun never set—Remember, Remember captures the scope of British history from the Roman invasion to the end of World War II: a drama of blood, death, love, sex, and betrayal. And it does so in 150 concise, accessible and highly entertaining entries. It’s the perfect quick refresher for all the things we learned in school but may have forgotten since. For lovers of all things British and for anyone who wants to know more about the country that once ruled America, here is an exciting, galloping tour of the rich, extraordinary story of Britain. * November 5, 1605, is the notorious date when Catholic conspirators, including Guy Fawkes, allegedly attempted to blow-up the Houses of Parliament. From the Hardcover edition.

Everything You've Ever Wanted to Know About British History with All the Boring Bits Taken Out

Remember, Remember (The Fifth of November)

Four couples set off on a three day, self-drive river cruise. Brett and Krystal, both in relationships with other partners, discover a deep attraction for each other. This does not go unnoticed and anger and resentment begin to simmer between the friends. On the last morning of the trip, the group is shocked to find Krystal missing. A thorough search fails to find her. She has disappeared without a trace. Three years pass and a body is found. Under the direction of attractive Detecitive-Sergeant Stephanie Darrieux, the group re-unites. During her investigation Darrieux uncovers disturbing secrets. Not everyone is as they appear to be.

Krystal

Ever find yourself struggling to remember simple facts and rules? Is the ever increasing pace of life and glut of information challenging your memory? I Before E (Except After C) is full of memory aids to help you out. From well known rhymes such as the popular 'Thirty days hath September, April, June and November', memorable sayings including 'Spring forward, fall back', and mnemonics such as 'Richard of York Gave Battle in Vain', to a selection of more modern methods of boosting one's failing memory. I Before E is the definitive guide to help you to unjumble your mind and improve your ability to recall names, dates, facts, figures and events, and contains all the mnemonics you'll ever need to know.

Old-School Ways to Remember Stuff

I Before E (Except After C)

Judy Parkinson Staff

Catchphrase, Slogan & Cliche is for anyone seeking the meanings or origins of hundreds of the expressions that enrich our everyday speech. From phrases that go back to Norman times, through proverbs, catch phrases and quotations, right up to modern expressions, this book takes an informed and amusing look at the origins of some of the more colourful sayings that passed into everyday currency.

Judy Parkinson

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