Why Do We Quote...?

London England: Blandford Books, 1989. Hardback. First Edition. Why Do We Quote....? Message to previous owner to inside cover. Anything written or spoken that gets repeated may be described as a quotation. But how is it that certain groups of words acquire quotation marks around them? What is it that invests certain sayings with the qualities of memorability, usefulness - and, sometimes, irritation? In this book the author looks at more than 500 famous phrases and sayings that are frequently quoted. Where necessary he attempts to track down their sources. He describes how they have been used - and misused - over the years. And he provides the intriguing background and context so often missing from conventional dictionaries of quotations. This book is a highly individual and authoritative guide to one of the most fascinating aspects of the English language: the art of quotation. 232 pp. (We carry a wide selection of titles in The Arts, Theology, History, Politics, Social and Physical Sciences. academic and scholarly books and Modern First Editions, Reference books ,and all types of Academic Literature.). First Edition. Cloth. Very Good/Very Good. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" Tall Octavo. Harback.