Mother Tongue

'A fascinating look at how we talk about women' Washington Post

Spinster. Cougar. Carer. Roaring girl. Matron. Wife.

From the dawn of Old English to the present day, Dr Jenni Nuttall guides readers through the evolution of words we have used to describe women and the experiences they might share including menstruation, sexuality, the consequences of male violence, childbirth, paid and unpaid work. Along the way, she argues that as women have made slow progress towards equality, we've lost some of the most eloquent parts of our vocabulary for our lives.

Inspired by Nuttall's deep knowledge of the English language as well as conversations with her teenage daughter, this is a book for anyone who loves language, and for feminists who want to look to the past in order to move forward.

'This superb book teems with historical marvels and their 21st century resonances' Rebecca Wragg Sykes, author of Kindred

'Even longtime word enthusiasts will find plenty of new trivia' New Yorker

'Edifying and enlivening' Boston Globe

'Full of interesting observations ... Entertaining' Philip Hensher, Spectator