Word of mouth

Since its inception in 1992, "Word of Mouth" has been one of BBC Radio 4's most successful programmes, with nearly one million listeners each week.

Based on transcripts from the programme, Simon Elmes and Michael Rosen have rewritten it and included newly researched material to bring it up to date.

There are 12 sections, including Hot Desking - email words, pilots' slang, euphemistic language; and This Sporting Life - ice dance terminology, Alistair McGowan, footballers' English.

In 1999, many contemporary British writers and the general public explained what their favourite words were and why they are special - this book features some of those words in boxed text.