{"product_id":"like-a-history-of-the-worlds-most-hated-and-misunderstood-word-isbn-9780063415287","title":"Like: A History of the World's Most Hated (and Misunderstood) Word","description":"\u003cp\u003eA comprehensive and thought-provoking work of cultural criticism investigating one of the most polarizing words in the English language.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFew words in the English language are as misunderstood as “like.” Indeed, excessive use of this word is a surefire way to make those who pride themselves on propriety, both grammatical and otherwise, feel compelled to issue correctives.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBut what the detractors of this word fail to understand is its true linguistic function and versatility—as an exclamation, a filler of space, a means of subtle emphasis, and more. “Like” may have started out as slang, but it is now an intrinsic component of fun, serious, and altogether nurturing communication. And like any colloquialism, the word endears the speaker to its audience; a conversation full of likes feels more casual, despite its content.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn this book, culture writer and editor for \u003ci\u003eDwell\u003c\/i\u003e magazine Megan C. Reynolds takes us on a pop culture journey through the unique etymology and usage of this oft-reviled word, highlighting how the policing of women's speech is often used to undermine people who are traditionally seen as having less status in society—women, younger people, people from specific subcultures—and how, if thought about differently, it might open up a new way of communication and validation. Written in a breezy yet informative and engaging style, this is a must-read for anyone who considers themselves a grammarian, a lover of language, and an advocate for the marginalized in discussions of cultural capital, power, and progress.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis deep dive into sociolinguistics and pop culture reveals:\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eHistory of the English Language:\u003c\/b\u003e Discover how “like” has been a part of English for centuries, long before the Valley Girls of the Sherman Oaks Galleria made it famous.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eSociolinguistics in Action:\u003c\/b\u003e Explore the fascinating reasons why women and younger people are often linguistic innovators—and why their speech is so often criticized.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eWord Origins and Etymology:\u003c\/b\u003e Unpack the complex versatility of “like” as a discourse marker, a quotative, a hedge, and a tool for building connection.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eFeminist Theory:\u003c\/b\u003e A powerful argument for how, far from being a sign of insecurity, the word can be a tool for validation and wielding cultural capital.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e | \u003cp\u003e\"Valuable books have been written about 'ain’t,' 'okay,' 'bullshit,' and, as the title of Jesse Sheidlower’s classic puts it, 'the F-word.' We can add to that list Megan Reynold’s \u003cem\u003eLike\u003c\/em\u003e, a witty, informative, and thankfully non-judgmental deep dive into that beleaguered but extremely useful word.\" - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eBen Yagoda, author of How to Not Write Bad\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"Reynolds smartly and lightheartedly shares various scenarios in which she feels using the word 'like' in conversation offers an advantage. … Convincing evidence for offering 'like' another chance in the American English vernacular.\" - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"\u003cem\u003eLike\u003c\/em\u003e is a fun and fascinating book that will leave its readers with delight, curiosity, and hope. Anyone who has ever been criticized for using this word, or has censured it themselves, needs not only read Megan Reynolds’s work but shout it from the rooftops.\" - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eAmanda Montell, New York Times-bestselling author of The Age of Magical Overthinking and Cultish\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"Reynolds effectively mounts her larger argument: that people should embrace language’s changes rather than becoming cranky grammatical nitpickers exuding 'hall monitor energy.' It’s a passionate … love letter to linguistic evolution.\" - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"Full of interesting details, humorous asides, and vindication for all the readers who ever had a teacher put hatch marks on the board every time a student uttered 'like' in class, \u003cem\u003eLike\u003c\/em\u003e is a cathartic, enjoyable, and accessible read. … \u003cem\u003eLike\u003c\/em\u003e is more than an exploration of grammar and usage. It's, like, a love letter to the way teenage girls shape the English language.\" - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eShelf Awareness (starred review)\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"HarperOne","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48588018188517,"sku":"NP9780063415287","price":27.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1842\/7735\/files\/9780063415287.jpg?v=1773960556","url":"https:\/\/k12savings.com\/es\/products\/like-a-history-of-the-worlds-most-hated-and-misunderstood-word-isbn-9780063415287","provider":"K12savings","version":"1.0","type":"link"}