From the Foreword:
This book is a collection of radio scripts. In them, we seek to explain how the words and expressions became part of our language. Sometimes, there are several explanations. Sometimes, the story behind the expression has been lost and one can only guess at how it began. When possible, we try to use examples to make the meaning clear. The scripts are written in what VOA calls “Special English.” That means the extra effort is made to use simple, everyday words in sentences that are easy to understand. When they are broadcast by VOA, the programs are read more slowly than ordinary English, for ease in comprehension.
One warning: The radio scripts in this book were written by broadcasters, not English teachers. The writers were not concerned, in a formal sense, with linguistics or etymology. The goal was simply to tell, in an informal, entertaining way, how these words and expressions got started and what they mean.The foreword is signed by Marilyn Rice Christiano as the writer. So, the book is not to be confused with Jill Moss's series of podcasts by the same name. Even if some titles resemble their counterparts in the other version of the show, the texts differ.
The book contains over 80 words and expressions of idiomatic character, each explained in roughly one page with interesting cultural references.
