This book tells the story of how American English grew and changed from colonial times to the present, exploring how the American language is different from British English and how it got that way. From the English of the colonists to slang, regional dialects, African American English, the internet, and political correctness, Rosemarie Ostler shows how the language has evolved and is still evolving today. Written for non-specialists, it is filled with colorful examples of past and present English that bring the language to life.