Kick the Bucket and Swing the Cat takes a humorous tour through the fascinating, sometimes tragic, and often surprising history of the English language and its etymology. Author, humorist and word-sleuth Alex Games uncovers the trends, innovations and scandals that have shaped the meanings of our most popular words and expressions, from Chaucer to Internet jargon and Ancient Greek to American slang. Who was the original Jack the Lad, Gordon Bennett or Bloody Mary? Where do dodgy geezers and hooligans come from? What are skeldering, dithering and sabre-rattling? This amusing but rigorously researched account of English words and their origins combines the findings of the major BBC TV series and the nationwide Wordhunt, and is an entertaining treasure trove for English-language lovers everywhere.

The book is a research monograph that reviews and revises the concept of linguistic pejoration, and explores the role of 15 suffixes and combining forms, such as -ie, -o, -ard, -holic, -rrhea, -itis, -porn, -ish, in the formation of English pejoratives. The examination of the inner structure of the resulting derivatives is based on an innovative methodology that encompasses the theories and approaches of Construction Morphology, Componential Analysis, and Morphopragmatics. Following the principles of this methodology, pejorative words collected from dictionaries and corpora (a total of approximately 950 words) are abstracted into generalizations (or constructional schemas) where structural and functional similarities are used to cognitively trace the ways in which negative (or derisive) meaning is connected with a specific form. Through this multifaceted methodology, my analysis showcases the fact that the universal properties of ‘diminution’, ‘excess’, ‘resemblance’, and ‘metonymization’ are what underlie the making of pejorative meaning. These generalizations, along with the schematic representations of formatives, can help linguists, or linguistics enthusiasts in general, to understand the conventions and intricacy of lexical pejoration.

The eleven chapters of Vocabulary in a Second Language are written by the world’s leading researchers in the field of vocabulary studies in second language acquisition. Each chapter presents experimental research leading to new conclusions about and insights into the selection, the learning and teaching, or the testing of vocabulary knowledge in foreign languages. This book is intended as an up-to-date overview of the important domain of the lexicon for researchers in the field of second language acquisition, teacher trainers and professional teachers of second or foreign languages.

Combined Defence Services Examination [CDS] is one of the best opportunities in the lives of the candidates who are preparing for the Military examinations. This exam is conducted by the Union Public Services Commission (UPSC) twice a Year in the month of February and November to conduct officers in the Defence Forces: Indian Army, Indian Navy & Indian Air Force. The 2020-21 edition of ‘Pathfinder CDS Entrance Examination’ is complete self study guide that is designed for the absolute preparation of Combined Defence Services Examination. The book has been revised carefully and consciously providing the entire syllabus, divided into 4 major sections that are sub divided into chapters, which is prescribed by the UPSC guidelines. Solved Papers from [2019 to 2017] are provided in the beginning of the book, giving deep insight to the candidates about the papers pattern, types of questions and their weightage in the exam. Packed with such comprehensive study resources, this is a perfect book to receive the best guidance for the upcoming CDS Entrance Exam to strive towards success. TABLE OF CONTENT CDS Solved Paper 2019 II, CDS Solved Paper 2019 I, CDS Solved Paper 2018 II, CDS Solved Paper 2018 I, CDS Solved Paper 2017 II, Mathematics, General English, General Science, General Studies.

Takes readers through the history of the English language and its etymology. This work discusses the trends, innovations and scandals that have shaped the meanings of our most popular words and expressions, from Chaucer to Internet jargon and Ancient Greek to American slang.