Ifferisms: An Anthology of Aphorisms That Begin with the Word "IF" – Wit, Wisdom, and Hypothetical Thinking for Linguaphiles - Couverture rigide

Grothe, Mardy

Couverture rigide

ISBN 10 : 0061672300 ISBN 13 : 9780061672309

Editeur : Collins Reference, 2009

Synopsis

Perfect for linguaphiles and lovers of quotes, Ifferisms is a lively compendium of wit, wisdom, and wordplay from Dr. Mardy Grothe, author of I Never Metaphor I Didn’t Like, Viva La Repartee, and Oxymoronica. A collection of aphorisms―pithy observations and timeless proverbs that communicate some kind of truth about the human experience―Ifferisms contains those that begin with “if.” From “If life hands you lemons, make lemonade” to “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” the sayings in Ifferisms demonstrate how hypothetical thinking helps people contemplate their lives.

This one-of-a-kind collection of “ifferisms” explores:

• Classic Sayings: Discover the surprising origins of phrases like “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” and Murphy’s Law: “If anything can go wrong, it will.”
• Wit and Wordplay: Enjoy a treasure trove of humorous quotes and clever observations from literary giants like Mark Twain, Oscar Wilde, and George Bernard Shaw.
• Hypothetical Thinking: Explore how the simple two-letter word, “if,” opens up a world of thought experiments, from the profound to the playful.
• Words to Live By: Find inspiration and timeless wisdom in ifferisms that touch on everything from love and marriage to politics and the human condition.

A propos du livre

À propos de l'auteur

 Dr. Mardy Grothe is a retired psychologist, management consultant, and platform speaker; the author of six books on words and language; the creator of Dr. Mardy’s Dictionary of Metaphorical Quotations; and one of America’s most beloved quotation anthologists. He lives in Southern Pines, North Carolina, with his wife, Katherine Robinson.

À propos de la quatrième de couverture

If the only tool you have is a hammer, you tend to see every problem as a nail.

If you do not tell the truth about yourself, you cannot tell it about other people.

If you can't be kind, at least be vague.

An aphorism is a pithy observation that attempts to communicate a truth about the human experience, often with a dash of wit. History's greatest thinkers and writers have viewed the aphorism as a potent tool, and it is remarkable how many of their most memorable observations have been introduced with the biggest little word in the human language: If. These ifferisms, as they have been dubbed by quotation anthologist Dr. Mardy Grothe, demonstrate the powerful role that hypothetical and conditional thinking play in our lives.

This novel compendium of wisdom, wit, and wordplay presents nearly two thousand quotations that all begin with the word if. Alongside history's most famous sayings, readers will find—and often learn the fascinating story behind—such modern classics as "If you build it, they will come" and "If anything can go wrong, it will." In chapters on sex, love, sports, politics, advice, gender dynamics, and more, quotation lovers will savor scintillating observations from the usual suspects—Twain, Wilde, Shaw, Emerson, and Franklin—as well as scores of contemporary wits and wordsmiths.

Détails de l'édition

• Éditeur: Collins Reference
• Date d'édition: 2009
• Langue: anglais
• ISBN 10: 0061672300
• ISBN 13: 9780061672309
• Reliure: Relié
• Nombre de pages: 336
• Coordonnées du fabricant: non disponible
• Personne responsable: Product Safety Manager; enquiries@harpercollins.ie; ; HarperCollins, Macken House, 39/40 Mayor Street Upper; Dublin 1; D01 C9W8; Irlande