Word Spy

Language wears many hats, but its most important job is to help us name or describe what's in the world. Words define us, our actions, even our existence. And just when you think that you have all the words you need, you discover new ones, hear new uses for old ones or see them mutate right before your eyes—a neologism is born. Those neologisms are actually one of the best ways of keeping tabs on the way our world and culture are changing. One of the people who's been keeping tabs is Paul McFedries, the president of Logophilia Limited (logophilia is Greek for "the love of words"). His scorecard is Word Spy, a daily newsletter that has been reporting from the neological frontier since 1998 and that has more than 100,000 visitors a month and more than 12 million page views. In Word Spy, McFedries demonstrates how new words both reflect and illuminate not only the subcultures that coin them but also the larger culture in which these groups exist. Neologisms give us insight into the way things are even as they act as linguistic harbingers of what's to come. Each chapter of Word Spy is a cultural snapshot, a slice of the zeitgeist that focuses on a specific idea or sociological phenomenon, with an emphasis on the words and phrases that it has generated. These snapshots cover various aspects of modern life, including relationships, business, technology, war, aging, multiculturalism, and even fast food, all the while introducing us to hybrid words: If your kids can't seem to get away from their computers, they may be addicted to "fritterware" (time-wasting game software). If you're a new mother with a passion for petitioning, you may be a "lactivist" (breast-feeding activist). And if you keep finding yourself staying way later at the office than you ever imagined, you may be suffering from "presenteeism." Word Spy is an exciting and informative travelogue through the evolving landscape of our language and, consequently, the cultures and subcultures that continually mold and shape not just the language but all of us who speak it.

Much more fun to be had with the English language at the hands of this literary duo. Discover hidden and silent languages, the secrets of grammar, dying words, and newborn words...

Dear Readers, You may not know me, but I know you. I am - the WORD SPY. Ever since I can remember, I've been listening to, speaking, reading, and yes, spying on words. The time has come for me to share with you some of the many things I have discovered. All you have to do is open this book... the wonderful world of words awaits! Join the Word Spyon an entertaining journey through the English language. Learn more about where the alphabet came from, find out what ATM stands for, make your own palindromes (it's easy!) and impress your pigs by speaking Pig Latin. There are cartoons, riddles and a special code to solve along the way. Visit the Word Spy blog

You're no idiot, of course. You're computer literate, but it seems you need a Ph.D. in Geek Speak to read most books on Windows XP. Don't worry! You don't have to learn another language to understand The Complete Idiot's Guide ® to Windows XP. This is not a book for those who think the pocket protector is the height of fashion. Written for anyone who may be the proud yet bewildered new user of Windows XP, this Complete Idiot's Guide give you: -- Advice to help you master the basics of navigating Windows XP. -- Information on all the new Windows XP features, including the new interface and the latest versions of Internet Explorer and Outlook Express. -- Ways to put Windows Media Player 8, the new digital media features, and other cool applications to work for you. -- Excellent instruction on how to set up and maintain a network using Windows XP.

George Smiley’s deadly game Smiley and his people are facing a remarkable challenge: a mole—a Soviet double agent—who has burrowed his way in and up to the highest level of British Intelligence. His treachery has already blown some of their vital operations and their best networks. The mole is one of their own kind. But who is it?

Provides step-by-step screen shots that show you how to tackle more than 150 Mac tasks. Each task-based spread covers a single technique, sure to help you get up and running on your Mac in no time.

Get to know the new cat in the pride-Mac OS X Mountain Lion-with this VISUAL guide Apple's new Mac OS X Mountain Lion is impressive, with features and functions that will be familiar to Mac users from their iPhones and iPads. Make sure you get the most out of your new big cat with this practical guide. Using step-by-step instructions and full-color screenshots or illustrations on virtually every page-the hallmark of the practical Teach Yourself VISUALLY series-this book clearly shows you how to accomplish tasks, rather than burying you with paragraphs of text. You'll learn how to customize your Mac; make the most of your digital media; use OS X's new Game Center, Messages, and Notifications; and much more. Helps Mac OS X Mountain Lion users get up to speed quickly on all the features of this new Mac operating system, such as Game Center, Messages, and Notifications Teaches practical techniques using easy-to-follow, step-by-step visuals and brief explanations Features full-color screenshots or illustrations on almost every page Also covers how to customize your Mac, enjoy your digital media, and use peripherals, as well as how to continue to get the most out of Mission Control and the App Store Teach Yourself VISUALLY OS X Mountain Lion is the perfect guide for visual learners who want to quickly tame Apple's new Mac OS X Mountain Lion.

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