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Words we know. Stories we share.

It’s right on the tip of your tongue.

A collection of 500 proverbial phrases and figures of speech by Francine Goodson. Australian slang, old sayings and the expressions your Dad or Grand Dad used to say.

Discover the book Take a peek inside
Right on the Tip of My Tongue, a compilation of well-known phrases by Francine Goodson

Heard these before?

  • Walking on Eggshells
  • Green with Envy
  • Like Chalk and Cheese
  • Not on Your Nelly
  • A Cool Million
  • Close But No Cigar
  • Bet Your Bottom Dollar
  • Sleep Like a Log
  • Let Sleeping Dogs Lie
  • Easy as Pie
  • Two Peas in a Pod
  • The Talk of the Town

Small sayings.Big personality.

A laugh, a memory, a saying you haven’t heard in years. Rediscover the expressions that make everyday conversation unforgettable.

A compilation of Australian slang, sayings and figures of speech used in everyday language, with one for every scenario in day-to-day life. If something is right on the tip of your tongue and you just can’t remember it, this is the perfect conversation dictionary of proverbial phrases.

“Take a leaf out of this book.”
Look inside

Sound familiar?

Tap a card to reveal what it really means.

…and hundreds more inside the book!

Inside the book

Three chapters.One for every scenario.

Right on the Tip of My Tongue is a conversation dictionary of proverbial phrases, with a plain-English meaning beside every saying. Here’s what you’ll find between the covers.

  1. Figures of Speech & Proverbial Phrases

    Hundreds of everyday sayings, from the cheeky to the wise, each with its meaning explained.

    “To Make Ends Meet”
    To have just enough money to cover basic needs.

  2. Old Wives’ Tales & Superstitions

    The warnings and little rituals passed down from one generation to the next.

    “If your left hand palm is itchy, you will receive money.”
    But if it’s your right hand, you will pay it out.

  3. A Glossary of Terminology

    Words grouped by their similar endings and sounds, like a mini dictionary of the English language.

    • -tion
    • -ion
    • -sion
    • -cion
    • -ing
    “Apparition”
    A ghost or ghostly figure that appears unexpectedly.
  • A compilation of well-known phrases
  • Paperback & hardback
  • Melbourne Print & Publish

The dedication

For John.

Francine dedicates this book to her beloved husband John, who had a beautiful mind and was quick witted. His jokes would fly over her head. He was a walking, talking proverbial man.

Francine
“John, I think I lost my mojo.”
John
“You’re never lost for words. You will get it back.”
Francine Goodson, author of Right on the Tip of My Tongue

Francine Goodson

About the author

Meet Francine Goodson.

Born in Adelaide, South Australia, to Italian immigrants from Calabria, Francine still calls Adelaide home. She has been married for over 40 years and has three adult children and five grandchildren.

Her career has been a busy and colourful one: from shorthand typist and secretary for Telecom, to wine tasting demonstrations and a 35-year profession as a freelance speaker (spruiker). While raising her family, she worked for DETE as an Early Childcare Worker (ECW) and bilingual assistant, teaching English to non-English-speaking preschoolers, and taught Italian students as a bilingual teacher from Reception to Year 1. No rest for the wicked! She loves telling stories, especially ghost stories.

  1. AdelaideBorn to Italian immigrants from Calabria
  2. TelecomShorthand typist & secretary
  3. Spruiker35 years as a freelance speaker
  4. TeacherBilingual ECW, preschool to Year 1
  5. AuthorGhost stories, children’s books & more

When she’s not writing or talking…

  • Gardening
  • Line dancing
  • Aqua aerobics
  • The gym
  • Rock ’n’ roll
  • Stephen King fan
  • Restoring old furniture
Read her story
Right on the Tip of My Tongue by Francine Goodson

Never be lost
for words.

A collection of 500 proverbial phrases and figures of speech by Francine Goodson. The perfect conversation dictionary for anyone who loves a good saying.

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“You’re never lost for words.”

Let’s Get Talking.

Have a question about Right on the Tip of My Tongue, a saying you can’t quite remember, or a phrase your Nonna always used to say? Francine would love to hear from you. Send a message below and you will receive a reply as soon as possible.
“If a saying is right on the tip of your tongue, write it down and send it my way. Every phrase has a story, and I would be very happy to hear yours.”

info@francinegoodson.com.au