bLearn the origins of popular phrases in the English language through this exciting book of games perfect for language lovers.b pDo you know the connection between the expression A HARROWING EXPERIENCE and agriculture, between BY AND LARGE and sailing, between GET YOUR GOAT and horses, or between STEAL YOUR THUNDER and show business pYou probably have heard the comparisons HAPPY AS A CLAM, SMART AS A WHIP, PLEASED AS PUNCH, DEAD AS A DOORNAIL--but have you ever wondered why a clam should be happy, a whip smart, punch pleased, and a doornail dead pThrough the fifty games included in iThe Play of Wordsi you'll discover the answers to these questions as well as hundreds of other semantic delights that repose in our marvelous English language.