Review Red herrings and white elephants: The origins of the phrases we use every day (book review)

Idioms, which are integral to everyday English where it is the first language, often pose difficulties for non-native speakers. Each language has its own idiomatic expressions, and when these are translated, their meanings may become obscure or incomprehensible. For instance, when we refer to something as a red herring, we imply that it is misleading or deceptive, such as a false clue in a detective novel. If this book were a red herring (which it is not), it would suggest that its content should not be trusted. Similarly, the term white elephant refers to something that is costly yet ultimately useless. Red Herrings is an engaging and thoroughly researched volume that explores the history and meaning of over five hun- dred idioms commonly used by English speakers. It serves as an insightful resource both for native speakers interested in uncovering the historical roots of the expressions they frequently employ, and for non-native speakers seeking to understand these common idioms and determine whether there are equivalent expressions in their own languages.