Why You Say It by Webb Garrison
Why You Say It is an interesting work detailing the origins and original meanings of many figures of speech and phrases. Coming in at 348 pages, this book remains a light read for the reason that the entire book works like this:
HEDGE
Throughout much of northern Europe, early farmers planted bushes and shrubs to serve as fences and boundary lines. Anglo-Saxons were partial to hawthorn, a row of which they called a hege. It was a mark of caution to plant hawthorn around a field, or hedge it. Eventually the name of the barrier came to be used in connection with many kinds of safeguards. As a result, we say that a person who wagers on several horses rather than only one hedges his bet. Many a person manages to hedge by avoiding direct promises and unqualified commitments.
(definition of “Hedge” from p. 182)
The above format is followed for around 600 different words and phrases. It makes for a slightly educational and interesting read, but I found myself growing uninterested very quickly. Why You Say It is not as interesting as it is made out to be. The book retails for $14.99, so unless you want to read about how all 600 phrases originated, purchase another book with your money, such as David Murrow’s The Map (also by Thomas Nelson Publishers).
This book was provided freely for my review. I am a member of Thomas Nelson Publisher’s BookSneeze book review program.
