A Hog on Ice: & Other Curious Expressions

From “mad as a wet hen” to “corn dodger” and “hobgoblin,” Charles Funk’s collections of curious words and expressions are a treasure trove of word origin.

Where did expressions like this come from anyway?

Now finally we’ll know what “letting the cat out of the bag” or “going on wild-goose chase” refers to. In this fun collection of over 400 curious expressions and sayings, Dr. Funk explains the meanings that we use in everyday speech without even thinking about it. He has traced them back through the years-in some cases centuries-in an effort to determine their sources, to find out what the original allusions were, or, at the very least, to give us his expert opinion when facts cannot be traced.

He's as independent as a hog on ice!

Where did expressions like this come from anyway?

Now finally we'll know what "letting the cat out of the bag" or "going on a wild-goose chase" refers to. In this fun collection of more than 400 curious expressions and sayings, Dr. Funk explains the meanings that we use in everyday speech without even thinking about it. He has traced them back through the years -- in some cases centuries -- in an effort to determine their sources, to find out what the original allusions were, or at the very least, to give us his expert opinion when facts cannot be traced.

“Simultaneously tickles and informs.” - New York Times

“The nice thing about Mr. Funk’s book is his willingness to turn his selections around slowly and have a look at them from all sides….The reader will be amused almost always, surprised a good part of the time, and informed throughout.” - San Francisco Chronicle

“Writing as the vaudevillian used to play the fiddle, for his own amazement, Dr. Funk has set down with humor and scholarship the best and most plausible explanations he could pry out of past records and living persons.”- - New York Times