Crystal's Curiosity Cabinet: An English Language Miscellany

What do a comic alphabet, a glorious lipogram and a wellerism have in common?

Or, an audit of accountants, an illusion of magicians, and an intrusion of spammers?

And do you know how Shakespeare pronounced his name?

Quirky, original, amusing and enlightening, this charming English Language Miscellany from David Crystal, one of the greatest British linguists of our time, offers fascinating observations on random, weird and witty words and expressions, collected over a number of years.

Following the tradition of the Victorian miscellany and cabinets of curiosities, the 150+ random entries reveal the global, national, contemporary and historical impact of language, and will appeal to word lovers and fun-fact-fiends alike.

Showcasing linguistic creativity in all its glory, and featuring a wide range of topics that reflect current language issues, such as accents, dialects, etymology, proverbs, place names, punctuation, everyday usage, and language change, this book provides a playful, entertaining and informative read on the bizarre nature of language.

Author: David Crystal
Binding Type: Hardcover
Publisher: Chambers
Published: 02/03/2026
Pages: 224
Weight: 0.66lbs
Size: 8.01h x 5.44w x 0.88d
ISBN: 9781399823890