This book is a lively exploration of the English language, its history, and the ways in which words can be used and misused. Mathews discusses a range of topics from the origins of words to the nuances of grammar and usage. He also delves into the social and cultural significance of language. This book is a fascinating read for anyone interested in the English language and how it shapes our world. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.