Extraordinary Origins of Everyday Things

by Charles Panati

Book Overview

For lovers of facts, students of popular culture, history buffs, and science enthusiasts, the fascinating stories behind 500 everyday items, expressions, and customs--from Kleenex to steak sauce, Barbie Dolls to honeymoons.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0060550988
• ISBN13: 9780060550981
• Release Date: January 1987
• Publisher: Harper Perennial
• Length: 463 Pages
• Weight: 2.05 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Indispensable!

My old copy is worn down to no covers! Time to order another copy!

For The Curious-Minded, This Is What You've Been Looking For

This review needn't be long, for the title tells it all. Whether you want to know the origin of blue jeans, dental floss or a comb, you'll find it here. Because for some reason or another, I am on an unfulfillable quest to always know more and more, this is the type of book I love, and one I'd recommend more than any of the others I've read. The book is broken up very nicely into setions so the thoughts are coherent and the content flows. This is actually a book you can read before bed or on the train - rather than others written in similar style, but that are better for reference. Enjoy.

My All-Time Favorite Book

This was a gift to me from my parents well over ten years ago and is a book I still read occasionally. Believe it or not, it represents the single most important positive influence in my education. I realize that most first time readers will not be impressionable elementary-school children like I was, but I can't imagine anyone who wouldn't be able to find this book an enjoyable read.

wonderful book

I have bought this book 3 times in many years and lose it to friends. It is educational and fun to pop out the origins when at work and someone is wondering where something came from or how a phrase got started. You can read for days if you could keep yourself up that long and then go back and read again.

Excellent reading.

I didn't learn this much history in school. It is amazing to learn that customs we practice today have their roots hundreds, even thousands of years ago. Ages high school to 100 will enjoy this book.