Book about word origins

Word origins, trivia book for adults, funny trivia, origin of words patrick foote. The site has become a favorite resource of teachers of reading, spelling, and english as a second language. Wilfred funks book word origins, written in the 60s i believe, is interesting. It will challenge many to think about genesis in the way christian scholars have been championing for many years nowas an ancient document, speaking to people with an understanding of the. Book of life the roll of those chosen for eternal life is from mid14c.

The book draws on oxfords unrivalled dictionary research programme and language monitoring, and relates the fascinating stories behind many of our most curious terms and expressions in order to offer the reader a much more explicit account than can be found in a general english dictionary. Written in a funny, charming, and conversational style, word origins is the first book to offer a thorough investigation of the history and the science of etymology, making this littleknown field accessible to everyone interested in the history of words. From shakespeare to pop songs, pinker uses a potent blend of digestible examples and empirical evidence to distill the fundamental fascination of language. Take science for instance, from the latin word scienta meaning knowledge.

The use of nigger in older literature has become controversial because of the words modern meaning as a racist insult. The average contemporary english speaker knows 50, 000 words. The book draws on oxfords unrivalled dictionary research programme and language monitoring, and relates the fascinating stories behind many of our most curious terms and expressions in order to offer the reader a much. What is the origin of the phrase dressed to the nines. Join us on an excursion into the world of eight common words delightfully convoluted backstories. Old english boc book, writing, written document, generally referred despite phonetic difficulties to protogermanic boko, from bokiz beech source also of german buch book buche beech. The oxford dictionary of word origins describes the origins and development of over 3,000 words and phrases in the english language. The book draws on oxfords unrivalled dictionary research programme and language monitoring, and relates the fascinating stories behind many of our most curious terms and expressions in order to offer the.

After all, knowing the word to see isnt enough when you want to talk about something you saw last week. Exploring the meanings of english words from latin and greek sources, organized in thematic word units with cross reference searches. Etymology, the study of word origins, derives from the philosophical tradition which is a combination of literary studies, history and linguistics. Discover librarianselected research resources on word origins from the questia online library, including fulltext online books, academic journals, magazines. Written in a funny, charming, and conversational style, word origins is the first book to offer a thorough investigation of the history and the science of etymology. An accessible, lively az of over 3,000 words and their origins, drawn from oxfords unrivalled dictionary research and language monitoring. This book defines over 1,500 mushroom related words and word elements used in mushroom names. Written in a funny, charming, and conversational style, word origins is the first book to offer a thorough investigation of thehistory and the science of etymology, making this littleknown field accessible to everyone interested in the history of words. The book is structured into different chapters, each looking at a different tool we use to manage information flow, from naming to swearing and politeness to metaphor and euphemism. Jan 01, 2009 laid out in an az format with detailed cross references, and written in a style that is both authoritative and accessible, word origins is a valuable historical guide to the english language. It is estimated that every year, 800 neologisms are added to the english language. Etymology books the encyclopedia of word and phrase origins the encyclopedia of word and phrase origins. Students look up and write a short description of the origin, or etymology, for each vocabula.

Seemingly designed for those with laserfocused attention or plenty of time on their hands, the facts on file encyclopedia of word and phrase origins provides days of browsing for etymophiles. In the book, bryson lists a fair number of words and phrases that are commonly misused, misspelled, or confused. Access and explore english vocabulary words from latin. Ayto doesnt just pick a few of the most interesting words. He is the author with ian crofton of brewers britain and ireland. Many years ago i bought a wonderful book on the origins of words and it was a fascinating and fun read. This is an az guide to word origins which seeks to encourage a love of and interest in the english. In this language arts worksheet, your child will practice using a dictionary to find the origins of 20 words.

Explore english words derived from latingreek origins a program of latingreek cross references that will enhance your englishvocabulary skills and word studies. The greater part of this book describes in detail how the new format of word separation, in conjunction with silent reading, spread from the british isles and took gradual hold in france, germany, italy, and spain. Origins of the book the advent of collected and distributed writings of which a book would be an example is not synonymous with the advent of printing. The online etymology dictionary is the internets goto source for quick and reliable accounts of the origin and history of english words, phrases, and idioms. Learn about the hidden and often surprising histories of and connections between english words and their nonenglish ancestors. Histories of more than 8,000 englishlanguage words. It was used derogatorily, and by the mid20th century, particularly in the united. Awardwinning etymologist henry hitchings thought he knew every word in the book, until he studied the origins of english. I like that a wide variety of words including mundane can be found here. Oxford dictionary of word origins julia cresswell oxford.

Although dawkins had coined the word in a 1976 book, it was more than 20 years before the accumulation of examples of the word in use demonstrated that it was a fully established term in the language. Something they no longer teach in school is word origins. Etymology word origins books about etymology fun with words. To book it, which has been recorded since the 1970s, is an abbreviation of the older bookity book, to run fast, to move quickly. What is the origin of the phrase book it, as in move. Many linguists fail to find any connection whatsoever with older words. It dates back to the time of the classical greeks, who were interested in the development of alphabetic writing. Online etymology dictionary origin, history and meaning. Dictionary of word origins book by john ayto official.

The old english word originally meant any written document. This activity asks students to discover word origins for 12 vocabulary words from the nonfiction book, 109 east palace. Az of english words with surprising origins telegraph. Sep 09, 2010 combining both accessibility and authority, the oxford dictionary of word origins describes the origins and development of over 3,000 words and phrases in the english language. Advanced information and knowledge has been documented in primitive forms such as clay tablets, papyrus scrolls and manuscripts works written by hand since the kings of ancient mesopotamia. This new paperback edition of the oxford school dictionary of word origins gives an engaging insight into the origins of the everyday language we use. One of the most enduring controversies has been the words use in mark twains novel adventures of huckleberry finn 1885. With over 8000 entries, and written for the general marke. The book draws on oxfords unrivalled dictionary research programme and language monitoring, and relates the fascinating stories behind many of our most curious terms. This dictionary of word origins lists alphabetically the histories of more than 8,000 words in the english language. With over 8000 entries, and written for the general market, this volume uncovers the often surprising connections between words. The book concludes with the triumph of silent reading in the scholasticism and devotional practices of the late middle ages.

Etymology books kleins comprehensive etymological dictionary of the english language. The origin of names, words and everything in between. This is an az guide to word origins which seeks to encourage a love. Picturesque word origins, from websters new international dictionary by anon. In more than 8,000 entries, the dictionary reveals the origins of and links between words like beef and cow, secret and crime, flour and pollen, imbecile and bacteria, plankton and complain. We use cookies to enhance your experience on our website. This verb, which is echoic of the sound of shoes slapping on the ground, goes back at least to the 1930s, when one fin. It is professional enough to satisfy academic standards, but accessible enough to be used by anyone. Found one of the original word origin books that i had many years ago. The phrase computer bug has been around for a long time, but was it created due to an incident involving a real insect. Religions with a linear divine history often depict hells as eternal destinations, the biggest examples of which are christianity and islam, whereas religions with reincarnation usually depict a hell as an intermediary period between. List of books and articles about word origins online research. The original speakers of english came from the part of europe that is now germany and denmark in the form of three tribes called the angles, the saxons, and the jutes. Combining both accessibility and authority, the oxford dictionary of word origins describes the origins and development of over 3,000 words and phrases in the english language.

When you learn a new word, do you remember to learn its different forms and tenses as well. The basic importance of latin in english can hardly be exaggerated. Word origins was the first computer bug a real insect. Apr 23, 2020 origins of the book the advent of collected and distributed writings of which a book would be an example is not synonymous with the advent of printing. Loo is often used in informal british english to mean toilet but where does the word come from. Huckleberry finn was the fifth most challenged book during the 1990s, according to the american library association.

In the english language, the word nigger is an ethnic slur typically directed at black people, especially black americans. Word origin definition of word origin by the free dictionary. The word originated in the 18th century as an adaptation of the spanish negro, a descendant of the latin adjective niger, which means black. Word origins of food and drink by ayto, john book the. When words come from other languages, they often have unfamiliar letter combinations. Anatoly liberman, an internationally acclaimed etymologist, takes the reader by the hand and explains the many ways that english words can. I recommend the book to anyone interested in the origins question and look forward to seeing how these ideas shape origins discussion of the future. The word has cognates in all branches of the germanic languages, including old norse hel which refers to both a location and goddesslike being in norse mythology, old frisian helle, old saxon hellia, old high. Meaning sum of criminal charges is from 1926, hence slang phrase throw the book at 1932.

Get a free ebook by joining our mailing list today. List of books and articles about word origins online. A hog on ice and other curious expressions 1948, thereby hangs a tale 1950, heavens to betsy. Each entry highlights a species that uses the word element, includes the origin and pronunciation of the name, a little information about the mushroom, and. It provides additional language support and information through funny and absorbing word histories, feature entries on especially curious, yucky, and mindboggling words, and a full thematic section on words from the worlds of food, fashion. His authorial credits include the oxford dictionary of slang, the bloomsbury dictionary of word origins, twentieth century words, and dictionary of word origins. Google fails me because of how common the word book is. I read a few word origins from this book almost daily, its my favorite word book.

Unfortunately it has gone missing and i bought this book hoping it would be an equally fun book. These word origins reveal twists, turns and reverses of the human mind, history and culture over the ages. Jun 15, 2016 what is etymology and why is it important. If you are a lover of words, with a curiosity to the origins of some of them and can purchase funks yes, of the old funk and wagnall book cheaply, then i dont believe you will be disappointed. And compare french livre book, from latin librum, originally the inner bark of trees see library. It is safe to say that more than half the words we use in our daily talk come to us from or through latin, and the spelling of these words and their accurate use is immeasurably helped by the knowledge of their origins. This one is easy to use, look up the word and it will send you to other pages to find the origin or it will be right there. In fact, for a long time during the 14th 15th centuries, our canine friends were called simply hounds, while the word dog was used to refer to a specific type of hound, a large group including the mastiff.

Oxford dictionary of word origins oxford reference. Word origins by john ayto meet your next favorite book. Youll need to say to see in different forms and tenses, such as i see. Greek and latin roots english word power book 17 manik joshi. This book is quite detailed but dry like the sahara desert. Scholars who study the history of word origins are known as ethnologists.

Dictionary of word origins by john ayto uncover the hidden and often surprising connection between words. Combining both accessibility and authority, the oxford dictionary of word origins describes the origins and development of over 3000 words. One of a series of reference books for the young browser and wordsmith, with amusing illustrations. The fascinating origins of 16 common english words fluentu. How learning word origins can improve your english. To book it, which has been recorded since the 1970s, is an abbreviation of the older bookitybook, to run fast, to move quickly. Dictionary of word origins by john ayto, hardcover. The dictionary of word origins uncovers the often surprising connections between words. Access and explore english vocabulary words from latin greek.

The average contemporary english speaker knows 50,000 words. This book is fun and informative for children and adults. Written in a clear and informative style, the more. Yet stripped down to its origins, this apparently huge vocabulary is in reality much smaller, derived from latin, french and the germanic languages. In his new book craeft, the archaeologist and bbc presenter alexander langlands offers a fascinating and surprisingly relevant dive into a subject that might seem niche to manythe origins of. Oxford dictionary of word origins 2e oxford quick reference. These are two separate languages families in the indoeuropean language tree. A very good writer in his own right, brysons advice is usually sound and practical, although he does stray a bit into the realm of personal idiosyncrasies and stylistic preferences and the book contains more than its fair share of. From white elephants to song dance by charles earle funk 2107 curious word origins, sayings and expressions is an omnibus of four books previously published by charles earle funk. Little oxford dictionary of word origins book the fast free shipping. In religion and folklore, hell is an afterlife location in which evil souls are subjected to punitive suffering, often torture as eternal punishment after death. Old english, or anglosaxon as it is also known, is the oldest form of english. Ideal for language lovers and students alike, the oxford dictionary of word origins relates the fascinating stories behind many of our most curious words and expressions.