BS: The Insect That Stole Butter

Subject: BS: The Insect That Stole Butter
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 06 Mar 11 - 08:02 AM

Does anybody have a definite source for a copy of the book The Insect That Stole Butter - The Oxford Book of Word Origins, preferably in UK or Ireland, but elsewhere if the price and postage isn't in the 're-morgage your house' range?
Have followed some offered on the net, only to find they are 'will inform you when we get new stock'.
Ironically, it is offered free by The Folio Society - if you buy their books, which are in the 're-morgage your morgage on your re-morgaged house' range.
The orginal published price was £13.00 sterling - now sadly out-of-print.
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: BS: The Insect That Stole Butter
From: josepp
Date: 06 Mar 11 - 10:16 AM

By the way, it's "mortgage."

Subject: RE: BS: The Insect That Stole Butter
From: jacqui.c
Date: 06 Mar 11 - 10:38 AM

Jim - I've sent you a PM.

Subject: RE: BS: The Insect That Stole Butter
From: GUEST,999
Date: 06 Mar 11 - 10:48 AM

Google

Barnes & Noble.com - Marketplace Search Results - The Insect That ...

S'posed to be eight of them there in various states and editions. Should put the book in your ball park, Jim.

Subject: RE: BS: The Insect That Stole Butter
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 06 Mar 11 - 11:03 AM

Thanks for the help - will respond to all later.
And thanks for the correction Josepp - goes to show that you're never too old to learn
Best,
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: BS: The Insect That Stole Butter
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 06 Mar 11 - 12:25 PM

Gotcha - and even learned how to spell mortgage.
Thanks to all,
Best
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: BS: The Insect That Stole Butter
From: gnomad
Date: 06 Mar 11 - 12:59 PM

An explanation of the word mortgage, since the thread's purpose seems fulfilled;

Mort - from the French - means dead
Gage - an abbreviation of engagement or social life

mortgage = kiss your social life goodbye.

I wish it had been me that had made that one up. Thanks, forgotten radio comedian (Barry Cryer, maybe?)