Kicking the bucket at the drop of a hat : the meaning and origins of popular expressions

A fascinating collection of the many unusual and vibrant phrases that adorn our language, looking at their origins and meanings.

Don’t be down in the dumps if you can’t cut the mustard when asked the definition of certain phrases – this down-to-earth guide is just the ticket. This collection contains some intriguing and remarkable stories about our best-loved and most colourful phrases and shows the huge range of sources from which they originate.

From advertising to the Ancient Greeks, from the military to meteorology, Kicking the Bucket at the Drop of a Hat takes us on a wonderful journey through our language’s history. With more phrases than you can shake a stick at, this collection will bring home the bacon for any Tom, Dick or Harry with a love of language.