"Origins of the Specious," by Patricia O'Conner and her husband, Stewart Kellerman (who graciously allows Pat to write from her point of view,) is a delightful romp in which the author explores the intricacies of our maddening and often illogical language.  Since Pat wrote "Woe is I," people have been inundating her with questions and observations.  In response, she wrote this book to help language junkies avoid making fools of themselves.  O'Conner slays a number of sacred cows and will likely receive nasty letters and emails from word mavens who disagree with her.  The author emphasizes that "perhaps the biggest myth of all is that English never changes, that it's immutable...But its ability to renew itself is what has kept English alive and kicking."