Böcker av Julia Cresswell

An absorbing A-Z which explores the origins and development of over 3,000 words in the English language. Drawing on Oxford's unrivalled dictionary research programme and language monitoring it brings to light the intriguing and often unusual stories of some of our most used words and phrases.

Babies' Names is a best-selling guide to over 1,500 first names. The book gives the origins of each name, and also lists the most popular girls' and boys' names in Britain today. It's the ideal reference for parents-to-be everywhere.

Outlines and investigates the legendary beasts of Britain, including famous examples such as St George's dragon alongside more local traditions such as the Laidly Worm, a princess turned by an evil stepmother into a monster that terrorised the countryside.

Explores the myths and legends of the great king Charlemagne, from the stories about his mother, Bertha Bigfoot, and his youthful adventures with the thief, Basin, to his fantastical journeys to Jerusalem and Constantinople. This book retells the stories of his most famous knights, the Paladins.

A fascinating, thematic exploration of cliches from as the actress said to the bishop to zero hour, explaining what they are and where they ve come from. Julia Cresswell has taken her best-selling dictionary of cliches ( Sumptuous A mine of information. Guardian) back to the drawing board and has created a book, packed with famous (and infamous) quotations and memorable information, that will change the way you see English.

An indispensable guide to 10,000 first names