The bawdy English language has never been overly concerned with purity, and this promiscuous proclivity has contributed to many alluring word histories. Richler combines his etymological talents along with those of the muck-raking journalist to expose the often times louche baggage that words have accumulated throughout the centuries. When reading Strange Bedfellows: The Private Lives of Words expect to learn the unexpected truth about the past lives of many words. You will discover why gossiping in church is etymologically proper and that words such as "avocado" and "porcelain" have past associations with some of the nether regions of the body that have been conveniently forgotten by the lovers of fruit and fine china. As Richler reveals, the English language has slept around for centuries and in the process has been seduced by many foreign influences. Composed of short chapters with each containing ten words from specific fields, Strange Bedfellows will surprise and delight the reader.