
audiobook
THE COMIC ENGLISH GRAMMAR: - A NEW AND FACETIOUS INTRODUCTION TO THE ENGLISH TONGUE. - By Percival Leigh - Embellished with upwards of forty-five Characteristic Illustrations By JOHN LEECH. - 1845.
PRELIMINARY DISCOURSE.
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PART I. ORTHOGRAPHY.
CHAPTER I. OF THE NATURE OF THE LETTERS, AND OF A COMIC ALPHABET.
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CHAPTER II. OF SYLLABLES. - Syllable is a nice word, it sounds so much like syllabub!
CHAPTER III. OF WORDS IN GENERAL.
PART II. ETYMOLOGY.
CHAPTER I. A COMICAL VIEW OF THE PARTS OF SPEECH.
A delightfully tongue‑in‑cheek guide to English, this mid‑nineteenth‑century work tackles the chaos of everyday speech with the swagger of a comic scholar. Its author opens with a mock‑solemn mission to “advance the interests of mankind” by rescuing the public from mangled phrases like “That ’ere omnibus” and “Gee woot!” The text is peppered with witty asides, lively caricatures, and vivid illustrations that bring the absurdities of misuse to life.
Beyond mere correction, the book revels in the quirks of Victorian society, comparing faulty grammar to the eccentric fashions of the age. By pairing sharp satire with clear explanations, it invites listeners to laugh while learning the rules that govern the “King’s English.” Whether you’re a language enthusiast or simply enjoy a good chuckle at humanity’s linguistic mishaps, this whimsical grammar lesson offers both instruction and amusement in equal measure.
Language
en
Duration
~2 hours (153K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by David Widger from page scans generously provided by Google Books
Release date
Jan 30, 2014
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
1813–1889
A sharp Victorian humorist who helped shape the early voice of Punch, he brought a doctor’s training and a satirist’s eye to comic writing. His work mixes playful wit with close observation of everyday manners, making him one of the memorable lighter voices of 19th-century English literature.
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