Status
Available
Call number
Collection
Publication
Arcade Publishing (1991), Edition: 1st U.S. ed, 583 pages
Description
The purpose of this book is to uncover the often surprising connections between elements of the English lexicon that have become obscured by centuries of language change - the links in our word-web that join such unlikely partners as, for instance, beef and cow, bacteria and imbecile, and bishop and spy.
User reviews
LibraryThing member csoki637
Knowing the origins of words adds to their meaning and intrigue. In this book, author John Ayto gives the approximate time period and background on the usage of a word: its etymology and how its meaning has changed over time.
This is a good addition to the library of anyone interested in language.
This is a good addition to the library of anyone interested in language.
LibraryThing member muzzie
It is impossible to imagine there is anyone who loves books who does not also love words. Often words seem to have a life of their own, not just something to emphasize another word but an entity to itself. When reading a history or historical novel a word will stand out on the page causing
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questions to arise: Does that word belong in the period? Does it mean what I think the author implied? Why does it catch my eye? This book does not provide all the answers, but at least allows me to place the word back on page where it belongs. Show Less
Language
Original publication date
1990
Physical description
583 p.; 6.5 x 1.5 inches
ISBN
1559701331 / 9781559701334