{"product_id":"a-word-for-all-seasons","title":"A Word for All Seasons","description":"\u003ch2\u003eEven the weather has an etymology.\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou know what a spring chicken is. But how did it wander into the conversation? In \u003cem\u003eA Word for All Seasons\u003c\/em\u003e, language writer and broadcaster David Crystal, honorary professor of linguistics at Bangor University and author of \u003cem\u003eBookish Words\u003c\/em\u003e, follows the words and phrases that have grown around the turning year. From dog days and silly season to wassail, Hogmanay and Snowtober, familiar expressions become little mysteries, with histories that reach well beyond the weather forecast.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHistorical origins, changing meanings and unexpected everyday uses sit alongside poetry and engravings by Eric Ravilious (1903–1942), the British painter, book illustrator and accomplished wood engraver known for his depictions of south-east England. It also detours into the names of months and the folklore names of moons. Dip in for one explanation and emerge several entries later, newly equipped to make small talk considerably less small.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eDetails\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePublished by the Bodleian Library\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWritten by David Crystal\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFeatures engravings by Eric Ravilious\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHardback, 248 pages\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExplores more than 100 seasonal words and phrases, with historical origins and examples of current usage\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIncludes idioms and extracts from poetry\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAppendices cover month-name etymologies and folklore names for moons\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePublished September 2026\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePerfect for\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWord lovers who can’t hear an unusual expression without wondering where it came from\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReaders fascinated by the folklore and language of the changing seasons\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEtymology enthusiasts who enjoy following a familiar phrase into unexpected history\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Bodleian Library","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67654019219556,"sku":"9781851246779","price":39.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0173\/7647\/7284\/files\/a-word-for-all-seasons-bookgeek-1262568133.jpg?v=1791985990","url":"https:\/\/bookgeek.com.au\/products\/a-word-for-all-seasons","provider":"BookGeek","version":"1.0","type":"link"}