Sleeping Dogs Don't Lay

A "delightful, witty, and hugely absorbing celebration of the English language" filled with usage tips, grammar games, and more (Bill Bryson, New York Times–bestselling author of The Mother Tongue).

Famed wordaholic Richard Lederer has teamed up with Richard Dowis to take readers on another journey through the world's most wonderful, albeit perplexing, language. Aside from clearing up once and for all the confusion between lay and lie, the authors put to rest some common myths about language and provide a ten-minute writing lesson from which everyone, from rank amateur to seasoned pro, can benefit. These and dozens of other features make this book pure pleasure for language buffs, writers, and teachers. Sleeping Dogs Don't Lay is useful and authoritative as well as fun to read, with humorous touches often popping up where least expected—and most needed.


"Written in breezy, joke-filled prose and broken up into ten chapters, this work clears up confusing word-usage questions, gives out spelling and grammar tips, and clears up old writing myths. They also supply a selection of grammar games." —Library Journal

"Someone should declare Richard Lederer a national treasure." —Richmond Times-Dispatch