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BS: The Insect That Stole Butter

06 Mar 11 - 08:02 AM (#3108011)
Subject: BS: The Insect That Stole Butter
From: Jim Carroll

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


06 Mar 11 - 10:16 AM (#3108083)
Subject: RE: BS: The Insect That Stole Butter
From: josepp

By the way, it's "mortgage."


06 Mar 11 - 10:38 AM (#3108094)
Subject: RE: BS: The Insect That Stole Butter
From: jacqui.c

Jim - I've sent you a PM.


06 Mar 11 - 10:48 AM (#3108097)
Subject: RE: BS: The Insect That Stole Butter
From: GUEST,999

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.


06 Mar 11 - 11:03 AM (#3108107)
Subject: RE: BS: The Insect That Stole Butter
From: Jim Carroll

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


06 Mar 11 - 12:25 PM (#3108163)
Subject: RE: BS: The Insect That Stole Butter
From: Jim Carroll

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


06 Mar 11 - 12:59 PM (#3108183)
Subject: RE: BS: The Insect That Stole Butter
From: gnomad

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?)