{"product_id":"like-a-history-of-the-worlds-most-hated-and-misunderstood-word-hardcover","title":"Like: A History of the World's Most Hated (and Misunderstood) Word (Hardcover)","description":"\u003ch1\u003e\u003cb\u003eby Megan C. Reynolds\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #24d7de;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eDescription\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"mobile-about-the-book\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"mobile-about-the-book\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eA comprehensive and thought-provoking work of cultural criticism investigating one of the most polarizing words in the English language.\u003c\/b\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 255, 255);\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"mobile-about-the-book\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFew words in the English language are as misunderstood as “like.” Indeed, excessive use of this word is a surefire way to make those who pride themselves on propriety, both grammatical and otherwise, feel compelled to issue correctives.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 255, 255);\"\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBut what the detractors of this word fail to understand is its true linguistic function and versatility—as an exclamation, a filler of space, a means of subtle emphasis, and more. “Like” may have started out as slang, but it is now an intrinsic component of fun, serious, and altogether nurturing communication. And like any colloquialism, the word endears the speaker to its audience; a conversation full of likes feels more casual, despite its content.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 255, 255);\"\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn this book, Megan C. Reynolds takes us on a pop culture journey through the unique etymology and usage of this oft-reviled word, highlighting how the policing of women's speech is often used to undermine people who are traditionally seen as having less status in society—women, younger people, people from specific subcultures—and how, if thought about differently, it might open up a new way of communication and validation. Written in a breezy yet informative and engaging style, this is a must-read for anyone who considers themselves a grammarian, a lover of language, and an advocate for the marginalized in discussions of cultural capital, power, and progress.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #24d7de;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMegan C. Reynolds\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is an editor at \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eDwell\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e magazine, and previously worked at the now defunct \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eJezebel\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003eand \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Billfold\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. She’s written for \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eBuzzfeed\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eNew York Times, Elle,\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eGawker, Bustle, Vulture\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, and other outlets. Megan was also the co-host of the short-lived, celebrity-gossip focused podcast \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eDirtcast.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003eShe lives in New York City.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #24d7de;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eProduct Details\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCategory: \u003c\/b\u003eNonfiction, Language\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage: \u003c\/b\u003eEnglish\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat\/Binding: \u003c\/b\u003eHardcover\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBook Condition: \u003c\/b\u003eNew\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-10:\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cspan\u003e0063415283\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13: \u003c\/b\u003e978-\u003cspan\u003e0063415287\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cspan\u003eHarperOne\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eDate Published:\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cspan\u003eJuly 01, 2025\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages: \u003c\/b\u003e256\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cb\u003eTerms of Sale\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cb\u003eAll book sales are final. No returns or exchanges.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePurchaser will receive a new book that has never been read.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book will be shipped within 7 to 10 business days of receipt of order via a major mail carrier (USPS, UPS, FedEX, or DHL) and may take up to 14 days to arrive depending on the carrier and destination.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInternational shipping is also available.\u003cspan style=\"color: #24d7de;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Mr. Well-Travelled","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50023235846337,"sku":null,"price":27.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0605\/4756\/3713\/files\/9780063415287-Like-MeganCReynolds-mrwelltravelled-blackownedonlinebookstore.jpg?v=1772330378","url":"https:\/\/shop.mrwelltravelled.com\/products\/like-a-history-of-the-worlds-most-hated-and-misunderstood-word-hardcover","provider":"Mr. Well-Travelled","version":"1.0","type":"link"}