“Words The Sea Gave Us” is a light-hearted look at the words the English dictionary borrowed from the sea. From baggywinkle and gollywobbler to tempest and flotsam, the sea in all her moods has given a boatload of words to the English language throughout history. This book explores their origins along with a cargo of old sailor’s yarns. Cast your line for the salty history of skyscraper, mollgogger, strike, cyber, and phrases like getting hitched, red herring, hot pursuit, and taking them down a peg. More than 370 words and phrases are featured from “above board” to yardarm - drawn from parts of a ship, sail names, crew titles, surfer slang, marine monsters, nautical navigation, flying the flag, and of course, how to talk like a scurvy pirate. Throw in some sea fables, fashions, and weather and you’re ready to set sail. Previous nautical experience not required. Ideal for word geeks, sailors, and beachcombers. "a fantastic achievement" - Joe Duffy, LiveLine Grace Tierney's Wordfoolery blog about unusual English words has been entertaining readers since 2009. Her books about the history of words - "Words the Vikings Gave Us", "Words the Sea Gave Us" and "How To Get Your Name In The Dictionary" are are out now in paperback and ebook. When not writing about words Grace is a columnist, NaNoWriMo mentor, Ireland Reads ambassador, regular radio contributor, and creator of serialised novels.