Ass: A Linguistic Journey - Paperback

by David Lilly (Author)

Ass.
A word so small it barely qualifies as a syllable, yet so powerful it can start fights, end friendships, intensify adjectives, and describe everything from donkeys to dump trucks. In "Ass: A Linguistic Journey," we dive cheeks-first into the absurd, hilarious, and surprisingly enlightening history of English's most versatile monosyllable. From its humble beginnings in Old English and Latin livestock to its modern glory as internet slang, "ass" has kicked, kissed, busted, dragged, and memed its way into every corner of the language. With wit sharper than a smartass comeback and research deeper than a squat, this book explores how "arse" became "ass," why America won the butt war, why you can "kick ass," "laugh your ass off," and be a "dumbass" all in the same sentence, and the rise of thicc-ness, GYATTs, and dump trucks in modern meme culture.
Whether you're a linguist, a word nerd, or just someone with a strong appreciation for peach emojis, this book will crack you up and teach you something you didn't know about the backside of the English language.

Author Biography

David Lilly is a writer, consultant, and lifelong observer of the quirks that shape how we think, speak, and connect. Whether exploring the oddities of language, designing children's books that spark curiosity, or helping others bring order to chaos through data and strategy, David brings a thoughtful eye and a touch of humor to everything he creates.
As a Navy veteran and business consultant by trade, he's worked with government agencies, small businesses, and big ideas, but at heart, he's a storyteller--curious about culture, fascinated by expression, and always chasing that moment when something clicks. When not writing or working, David can be found with family, cooking amazing food, tinkering with cars, planning the next travel adventure, or admiring the strange poetry of spreadsheets.