In ORIGINS OF THE SPECIOUS, word mavens Patricia T. O’Conner and Stewart Kellerman reveal why some of grammar’s best-known “rules” aren’t—and never were— rules at all. This playfully witty, rigorously researched book sets the record straight about bogus word origins, politically correct fictions, phony Francis, fake acronyms, and more. Here are some shockers: “They” was once commonly used for both singular and plural, much the way “you” is today. And an eighteenth-century female grammarian, of all people, is largely responsible for the all-purpose “he.” From the Queen’s English to street slang, this eye-opening romp will be the toast of grammarphiles and the salvation of gramophones. Take our word for it.