The Play of Words features educational word games about the origins of words and common expressions. Great fun for the student at school and the family at home. A great way to learn and to have fun with the mother tongue. Perfect for language lovers.

Learn the origins of popular phrases in the English language through this exciting book of games perfect for language lovers.

Do you know the connection between the expression “a harrowing experience” and agriculture, between “by and large” and sailing, between “get your goat” and horses, or between “steal your thunder” and show business?

You probably have heard the comparisons “happy as a clam,” “smart as a whip,” “pleased as punch,” and “dead as a doornail” — but have you ever wondered why a clam should be happy, a whip smart, punch pleased, and a doornail dead?

Through the fifty games included in The Play of Words you’ll discover the answers to these questions as well as hundreds of other semantic delights, such as the rhyming game Inky Pinky, that repose in our marvelous English language.