Answers the questions: why don't people say 'cheerio' anymore (and why did they in the first place)? and do people still tinker with jalopies? Intelligent, witty and amusing Filled with entertaining vignettes, fun facts and intriguing etymology Will appeal to anyone who love words.

Dr Ruth Wajnryb is an applied linguist, researcher and writer. She has a regular weekly column in The Sydney Morning Herald's 'Saturday Spectrum' in which she explores often offbeat linguistic topics with that lightness of touch she brings to this new project. This is her third book with Allen & Unwin and her twelfth in total.

Acknowledgments; PART I - The Hospice 1 As the pace quickens, 2 Cheerio, 3 Peopled phrases, 4 Darn, 5 Tinker, 6 Hobby, 7 Steady. PART II - Old ways, old language 8 Jalopy, 9 Handkerchief, 10 Hats, 11 Nongs and yobbos. PART III - Quainteries eschewed 12 Colourful language, 13 Fixed rejoinders, 14 Doubling up, 15 Mercers, 16 As easy as, 17 Useful tips, 18 Cockney rhyming slang, 19 Odds and sods. PART IV - Victims of modern candour 20 Sexuality, 21 The fall, 22 Dying and death, 23 Consumption, hysteria, ticker and coming out, 24 Black dog, 25 Bad. PART V - A new century with its own sensibilities, 26 Body bits, 27 Mad, 28 Stupid, 29 Ought, 30 Honey, 31 Fortitude, 32 Modesty. PART VI - The past is dead, long live the future 33 Cooking 34 Historical artifacts, 35 Dog days, 36 Retronyms. Epilogue, Notes, Bibliography.