Diarmaid Ó Muirithe's column Words We Use was a feature of The Irish Times for many years. This collection of his most memorable contributions, by turns witty and sympathetic, wears its prodigious learning lightly and is sure to delight those captivated by the power of language to shape the world around us.

Drawing on the author's nearly inexhaustible knowledge of languages, their mechanics and idiosyncrasies, Words We Use has sections covering everything from Magic and Shakespeare to Computers and Text Messaging. It will change the way you think about language forever.