An Apple A Day (Old-Fashioned Proverbs and Why They Work) by Caroline Taggart

An Apple A Day (Old-Fashioned Proverbs and Why They Work) Reviews

• 
  Zohour

  أحترم الأمثال للحد الذي جعلني اكتب بحث علمي عنها
  احب اصول الامثال، تنوعها،
  اختلاف اللغات واحادية المعنى ونحوها
  الكتاب هذا اشتهرت صاحبته تاجارت بالمعرفة الدقيقه لاصول الاشياء
  شخصياًوكمرجع اعتبره ممتع جداً
• 
  ABDULLAH

  كتاب به من الحكم والأمثال القيمة الي قيلت في منذ القدم أو في وقتنا الحاضر، أغلبها واقعية لحد ما والآخر مجرد كلمات عابرة ، جميل جداً وأسلوب الكاتبة أعجبني ،دونت وأنتقدت وعارضت وأعجبت، ممتع حقاً .
• 
  Charlotte

  Think I would have enjoyed this book if I had read it across a year (a proverb a day) but instead I read it over the period of a week which made it a little dry opposed to how wittily I believe it could be read. There were however some of my favourite proverbs explained with quite excellent quotes, which made me laugh out loud or question the entire nature of language - so I am definitely glad to have read it, if for no other reason than that my knowledge of proverbs has increased by the bucketful!
  
  As they say - never judge a book by it's cover!
  
  p.s - you'll love this book if you want lots of Hamlet references (which was actually great! #Shakespearefan)
• 
  Ellie Cox

  This book has sat on my shelf for YEARS without being read! So when I recently reorganised my shelves and saw this one again, I knew I had to accumulate it into my TBR pile.
  And I’m glad I did! A cute, quirky look at the origins of famous proverbs, with little assessments of their validity. I chuckled at the footnotes on Shakespeare and really appreciated the amount of proverbs that circulate language to this day.
  
  However, I think a few minor edits would have benefitted the flow of the book. I could pick out the inconsistencies in syntax, and there was a footnote that was omitted by mistake that bothered me.
  
  If you can get past that, it’s definitely worth the read. I’ve come away feeling more sentimental about proverbs, which I didn’t think was a thing.
  If you’re a fan of Simon Griffin’s Fucking Apostrophes, then you’ll get a kick out of this.
• 
  Stephen Hoffman

  This was a decently written mixed bag of proverbs, explaining what they mean and their origins.
  
  I found some of the stories behind a range of proverbs interesting and witty, others felt a bit corny and contrived but relatively interesting, whilst others I found either boring or it just didn't float my boat. This is unsurprising, as with these style of books, different proverbs and their origins will be of more interest than others, as was the case here.
  
  All in all I don't regret reading this book, but it didn't set my world alight.
• 
  Albatool

  كتاب جميل كمرجع ، احتوى على أشهر الأمثال وأكثرها تداولاً مع ان بعضها غير معروف و بعض الأمثال شوهتها الترجمة وبعضها الاخر جيد ، يقع ضمن ١٨٦ صفحة تقريباً
  استفزني اُسلوب الكاتبة من بعض الأمثال وبعدها قررت ان اقراء لشكسبير !
  .
  .
  2017
• 
  Roda

  رائع جدا وفيه امثلة غنية استمتعت بقرائته.
• 
  Karielle at Books à la Mode

  An Apple a Day by Caroline Taggart
  Release Date: March 3rd, 2011
  Publisher: Reader's Digest
  Page Count: 176
  Source: Received from FSB Media for review
  
  From Old Testament proverbs to modern phrases like "the best things in life are free," An Apple a Day takes a fun look at expressions that "have stood the test of time." Read through from start to finish or search through the list of hundreds of the most common proverbs, arranged from A to Z for easy reference. You'll learn about each proverb's surprising origins, why some are valid and others are not, the derivation and meanings behind them, and their relevance in today's society. Includes entries like:
  
  Two heads are better than one: Like the less-familiar "Four eyes see better than two," this proverb extols the benefits of having someone else help you make up your mind-and it's a view that goes back to at least the fourteenth century. But while it is always useful to have a second opinion (A sounding board? Someone else to blame?) it might also be worth bearing in mind the disadvantages of design or decision-making by committee: something that really pleases no one. So whereas two heads may well be better than one, three could be a crowd.
  
  Laughter is the best medicine: This idea is an ancient one and is found in, appropriately, the book of Proverbs: "A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones." It has prompted a surprising amount of research, with the result that some scientists claim that laughter has the same benefits as a mild workout-it stretches muscles, sends more oxygen to the tissues, and generally makes you feel healthier. One study even claims that laughing heartily for 10-15 minutes burns 50 calories. But let's pause for thought here. The world may laugh with you over a joke or a rerun of Seinfeld, but if you make a habit of laughing heartily for 10-15 minutes for no apparent reason, the world is going to think you are nuts and cross the street to avoid you. It may be worth striving for a happy medium.
  
  An apple a day keeps the doctor away: A common British folk saying, this is one of the few proverbs that can be taken at face value. All it means is that apples are good for you. The Romans knew this and so did the Anglo-Saxons, who listed the crabapple as one of the nine healing plants given to the world by the god Woden. They probably didn't know, as we now do, that apples contain fiber, antioxidants, and sundry vitamins and minerals that help to prevent osteoporosis, heart disease, and various forms of cancer. But they did know that they were cooling, cleansing, and soothing, whether taken as a natural diuretic or applied externally to inflammations. An anonymous medieval text called The Haven of Health recommended eating an apple to "relieve your feelings" if you were going to bed alone, while Ayurvedic medicine says that apples cure headaches and promote vitality. So the jury is out on whether or not apples are good for your sex life, but they are certainly good for pretty much everything else.
  
  Guaranteed to amuse and inform, this is the perfect gift for any language lover. Make this and all of the Reader's Digest Version books a permanent fixture on your eReader, and you'll have instant access to searchable knowledge. Whether you need homework help or want to win that trivia game, this series is the trusted source for fun facts.
  
  What Stephanie Thought: Ever wonder what classic proverbs, such as "out of sight, out of mind" mean and where they came from? They're petty little phrases that automatically come out of my mouth, but I've never really stopped to think what their literal definitions are.
  
  An Apple a Day not only defines these universally acknowledged words of wisdom, but also tells you how they came about, who uses them, when to use them, and their significance. There's no point in saying something you don't mean, and certainly no point in saying things you don't know what mean. We have begun to take the beautiful English language for granted because of how naturally it's thrown around, but this book helps reevaluate the importance of our sociable phrases and the history behind them.
  
  Stephanie Loves: "Out of sight, out of mind -- The idea that something is easily forgotten or dismissed as unimportant if it is not in our direct view." -- one of the proverbs that defines my life.
  
  Radical Rating: 9 hearts- One of my all-time favorites!
  
• 
  David Caldwell

  From the back of the book:"This unique collection of words to live by reveals the source of these timeworn expressions, which are as relevant today as they were when first coined geneartions ago." It also says it will provide "fun facts" behind the proverbs. This is why I bought the book because I thought it would be fun and informative. Unfortunately this did not prove to be the case.
  
  There are several faults with the book and they all are basically the author's doing.
  There are too many examples of each to worry about. Here are the general faults. Despite the back of the book's claims, most of the proverbs never mention their origins. Too frequently, the author tries to interpret the proverbs literally.Proverbs are almost never meant to be taken literally.If they were, they would not have the range of meaning to become ingrained in people's minds. The author shows her bias quite frequently and since this is supposed to be a factual work, opinions have no place in it. She is quick to point out any sexist thought, but only if it is against women. The worst part is she turns around and makes sexist remarks against men (and at least one rascist)throughout the book. She also calls several proverbs outdated, pompous, and basically stupid even though they are supposed to be "as relevant today".Hard to be relevant and silly at the same time.The sorting of the proverbs was not the easiest. While it was alphabetical, the author used keywords that seemed to follow no set system in their picking to be what was alphabetized.Finally I felt many of her interpretations were either incomplete or just plain wrong. Even some of the proverbs seemed to have been changed or at least not complete.
  
  I know I said I wasn't going to give examples but 2 cases really bugged me. The first was the proverb: there is honor amongst thieves (meaning there is always someone you will be loyal towards). This may truly be the saying but I have always heard it as there is no honor amongst thieves (meaning if someone proves they are not loyal, they will not be loyal to you either--this is why turning state's evidence is so popular). Even if the second isn't the original saying, I feel it is common enough now that is should have at least been mentioned. The second was the proverb: boys will be boys. The author says this is sexist and means let the young (or at least the boys) be young and sow thier wild oats. I do tend to agree this can be taken as sexist, but not against women. It is in fact sexist against the boys. I have usually heard this proverb interpreted to mean things will be as they will be whether they are boys, girls, hippos, or gazelles.Futhermore it implies boys are ill-mannered little heathens that can not be trained nor are they worth the bother. Futhermore girls are well-mannered and behaved so you don't have to worry about them.
  
  I guess this book just serves as an example of the proverb: never judge a book by its cover. (I am not sure why the author decided this proverb should go under judge instead of book which would have been a better keyword. But like I said earlier, her keyword selection was not that uniform in design.) My advice, avoid this book.
• 
  Amy Jacobs

  I constantly find myself wondering about certain phrases and how they originated. I remember my Grandmother always telling me things like "You can't teach an old dog new tricks" or "The darkest hour is before the dawn" and I never really understood what some of them meant at times. In this book, we get to learn about the origin and the many meanings a phrase or proverb.
  
  While I liked the book, and the read is not fairly long, it still had me wondering about a few of them. Yes, it tries to explain what they mean, but some of them felt like a dictionary entry instead of simple terms. I think with Mother's Day coming up soon, this would be a great book to give as a gift. You could highlight the proverbs that your Mother would say as you went through life and leave little notes in the margin to remind her why she would say them to you.
  
  I feel that this book would be best as a book left for gifts than a book that you would purchase and keep on your keeper shelf. I liked it, but I wouldn't go as far to say I would read it over and over again. It is more like a reference book that would hold more meaning as a gift with added insight written by yourself.
• 
  Gmr

  Just what is a proverb exactly? Simply put (via the author), a proverb is…”a piece of wisdom or advice expressed in a short and memorable way”. In other words, those catchy little phrases and sayings you’ve heard time and time again. But really, that’s just the surface of this work.
  
  As you delve deeper into this unusual reference guide, you find not only wisdom and wit but humor. Sprinkled here and there are doses of this "wonder drug" both in good taste and political punches, allowing readers the chance to both expand their minds and chase their cares away.
  
  A collection of wise words and sayings that when taken individually add up to a sum worthy of note, but if digested wholly can leave you in quite a conundrum. Whether your aim is to be the life of the party or the “top dog” of the water cooler trivia, this book along with the entire Blackboard series will add many a wordy weapon to your verbal arsenal.
  
  Recommended reading for all ages and interests; there's a little something for everyone. Happy reading.
• 
  Natalie

  I decided to read this books in spurts, a couple of definitions every day, so that I could think about the proverbs in detail. I'm so glad I did! Taggart's writing style is incredibly humorous and rather sarcastic, which suits me down to the ground having a tendency to be rather sarcastic myself.
  
  Each proverb is discussed in terms of origin and meaning and also if there are any variations on it. I loved the way Taggart intergrated the older and the more modern world into her book. It provided real food for thought for me and is now something I can use as a reference book, to go back and consult at a later date, so it's handy to own a copy.
  
  I would definitely recommend this if you enjoy learning the origin's of proverbs but with a dash of sarcastic humour and perhaps a slightly easier to understand explanation than other dictionary of proverbs might provide.
• 
  Monica

  Have you ever stopped to think where Grandma got her little words of wisdom? An Apple A Day by Caroline Taggart answers that question. She points out many of the most common old fashioned proverbs and explains their origins.
  
  The book is a quick read. But be aware, it really isn't for curling up with and getting lost in the story. The book is written as a references book, so it lacks the depth of a novel. I enjoy how Taggart sorts the proverbs alphabetically. It enables you to find the meaning of that saying that is special to you.
  
  I have read several of Caroline Taggart's books. They are fun and whimsical and great sources of trivia. Her books make wonderful gifts for men and women alike.
• 
  Holly (2 Kids and Tired)

  We all quote proverbs and thoughts freely, with little interest in why. While many proverbs are self-explanatory, others aren't. I often find my self saying things and wondering where that particular phrase came from and why I even know it. This little gem is the perfect book if you want to know or understand a particular proverb or phrase.
  
  Like the other books in the Reader's Digest series, An Apple A Day is just a fun book to read. It's one that you can read in a sitting or just a chapter at a time. It would make a great gift for that friend who loves words, books and proverbs.
  
  
• 
  Kevin

  This is another fun addition to this series from Readers Digest. It happens to be more entertainment that reference material however. Sure, Taggart often gives insight and information into the sources and development of the proverbs, phrases and aphorisms listed but more often she offers her own commentary and witticisms. But nevertheless it is an interesting tour through some of the more famous proverbs and how we might use, understand and discuss them today. Wordsmiths and literature lovers would enjoy this one.
• 
  Freda Mans-Labianca

  I love books that teach me about the origins of words and everyday sayings. There is just something cool about knowing where our native tongue started, and what exactly they meant.
  It's always a treat reading one of Caroline's books, as she puts the information together in a easy-to-read way, with some cute illustrations along the way.
  I definitely recommend this series to all lovers of words and language!
• 
  Janice Crespo

  When I was younger, one of the things I loved about seeing a Reader's Digest was glancing through and reading the bits and pieces of wisdom that were there. This is great - it's an entire collection of the old fashioned proverbs - I love it! If you want to have a book around the house, to teach, to uplift, to share - this is one that should be in your library!
• 
  Morninglight Mama

  This was pure fun, with Taggart's sly jokes squeezed in between interesting nuggets about the common sayings that are a regular part of our everyday language. Well, some of them... some others were completely unknown to me, so that was just as interesting, albeit in a different way. I enjoy these little "trivia-like" books, and they make for fun conversation starters!
• 
  Slow Man

  Entertaining.
• 
  Majid Al Farsi

  كتاب يحتوي على شرح مفصل للامثال الانجليزي
  بشكل مبسط ومتناغم.
  
  
• 
  Salahyafe

  كتاب بسيط في طرحه
  
  مصادرها غير موثوقة
  
  لم يضيف لي الا القليل
• 
  Sidra

  A must-have for a book collection.
• 
  Stéphane

  pretty sweet!
• 
  AseelAlshareef

  Helped me in my Shakespeare's language presentation