from war, rebellion, and other combative capers Ammer, Christine 1931-2025 creator text nyu New York Paragon House 1989 1st ed. monographic eng 266 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm. Fighting Words explores the military origins of everyday words and expressions. Christine Ammer uncovers how war and conflict have shaped the English language, tracing the etymology of over 1,000 terms and phrases back to battles, ranks, weapons, strategies, and historical events. You'll discover how familiar expressions like: "Deadline" "Grapevine" "Snafu" "Bite the bullet" and "Loose cannon" ...originated in wartime contexts but evolved into common usage. Ammer writes in an accessible and often witty style, making this book appealing not only to military history enthusiasts, but also to language lovers, writers, and curious readers who want to understand how conflict has left a lasting imprint on the way we speak. Christine Ammer. Includes index Military art and science Terminology Arte y ciencia militar Terminología English language Terms and phrases Ingles Términos y frases English language Etymology Inglés Etimología U 24 A518f 1989 355/.0014 1557780560 9781557780560 88028882 DLC 880902 20250827133249.0 4802697 eng