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mirable's review
3.0
I've always been partial to books about language and books about origins of things. This one combines both. Fun, interesting tidbits of history, and written in an easily accessible style.
carolynf's review
2.0
I only got about 25 pages in and had to stop. If you do not know any American idioms, this book might be interesting. But if you already know American sayings and want to know where they came from, you will be frustrated by the vague references to time and place, senseless thematic organization, and dubious claims (several that I double-checked elsewhere did not pan out).
sharonfalduto's review
The origins of many of our words and phrases, the meanings of which become mired in the past. I did not know, for instance, that a "Sadie Hawkins Dance" comes from the L'il Abner comic strip. The author does tend to editorialize--many of his examples of uses of phraseology to illustrate retro terms end up being anti-Bush polemics, and he has a tendency to offhandedly refer to beloved movies like "Forrest Gump" as "overrated."
shinypurplepants's review
2.0
Some of the anecdotes are more interesting than others. The book tries to be conversational and humorous and explain the "why" behind famous American slang. Unfortunately the book is so disorganized. It didn't work for me reading straight through but it was not the kind of thing you could just pick up at any point either.
cristah's review
4.0
I don't know how to review a non-fiction book exactly. I love words, so basically I loved finding out where some of them came from. And they were grouped together in appropriate sections and chapters. AND there was an index so I could revisit my favorite entries.
So...yeah.
So...yeah.
glassesgirl79's review
4.0
As a self proclaimed “word nerd” who loves words as well as the stories behind how words and phrases became parts of American language. “I Love It When You Talk Retro” is definitely a must read and it is entertaining as well as informative. The book consists of twenty-two chapters which provides stories on different environments (such as military, movies, law, etc.) have shaped present day word usage.
The book begins with a explanation of what are retroterms (allusions to past phenomena which are verbal artifacts that remain long after the phenomena has passed.) Examples of retroterms include cold feet, sell like hotcakes, and fly off the handle.
Overall the book was a good read in reference to the content that was presented. I liked that the author suggests to the reader multiple ways to read this book such as by browsing, read straight through, or used as a work of reference. I especially liked the way in which the author presents the words using bold print to highlight the retroterm used.
The book begins with a explanation of what are retroterms (allusions to past phenomena which are verbal artifacts that remain long after the phenomena has passed.) Examples of retroterms include cold feet, sell like hotcakes, and fly off the handle.
Overall the book was a good read in reference to the content that was presented. I liked that the author suggests to the reader multiple ways to read this book such as by browsing, read straight through, or used as a work of reference. I especially liked the way in which the author presents the words using bold print to highlight the retroterm used.
robinwalter's review
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
3.5
a little more superficial and glossary than I'd hoped for. Not an in-depth analysis of etymologies, more a compilation of anecdotes. A pleasant enough timepass, and I did learn a few things from it
vanillafire's review
5.0
It's not very often I can learn new trivia with out going to a trivia book. It was very interesting read.
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