For word nerds and grammar geeks, a witty guide to the most commonly
mispronounced words, along with their correct pronunciations and pithy
forays into their fascinating etymologies and histories of use and
misuse.
With wit and good humor, this handy little book not only saves us from
sticky linguistic situations but also provides fascinating
cocktail-party-ready anecdotes. Entries reveal how to pronounce
boatswain like an old salt on the deck of a ship, trompe l'oeil like a
bona fide art expert, and haricot vert like a foodie, while arming us
with the knowledge of why certain words are correctly pronounced the
slangy way (they came about before dictionaries), what stalks of grain
have to do with pronunciation, and more. With bonus sidebars like How to
Sound like a Seasoned Traveler and How to Sound Cultured, readers will
be able to speak about foreign foods and places, fashion, philosophy,
and literature with authority.