Word Origins And How We Know Them
Title | Word Origins And How We Know Them PDF eBook |
Author | Anatoly Liberman |
Publisher | Oxford University Press |
Pages | 336 |
Release | 2009-04-13 |
Genre | Reference |
ISBN | 0199889015 |
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 little-known field accessible to everyone interested in the history of words. Anatoly Liberman, an internationally acclaimed etymologist, takes the reader by the hand and explains the many ways that English words can be made, and the many ways in which etymologists try to unearth the origins of words. Every chapter is packed with dozens of examples of proven word histories, used to illustrate the correct ways to trace the origins of words as well as some of the egregiously bad ways to trace them. He not only tells the known origins of hundreds of words, but also shows how their origins were determined. And along the way, the reader is treated to a wealth of fascinating word facts. Did they once have bells in a belfry? No, the original meaning of belfry was siege tower. Are the words isle and island, raven and ravenous, or pan and pantry related etymologically? No, though they look strikingly similar, these words came to English via different routes. Partly a history, partly a how-to, and completely entertaining, Word Origins invites readers behind the scenes to watch an etymologist at work.
Dictionary of Word Origins
Title | Dictionary of Word Origins PDF eBook |
Author | Jordan Almond |
Publisher | Citadel Press |
Pages | 292 |
Release | 1995 |
Genre | Language Arts & Disciplines |
ISBN | 9780806517131 |
This dictionary gives the intriguing origins of hundreds of everyday words and expressions. Useful for reference and fun just for browsing, Dictionary of Word Origins is also a great way to expand vocabulary and enjoy doing it.
Word Origins
Title | Word Origins PDF eBook |
Author | John Ayto |
Publisher | A&C Black Business Information and Development |
Pages | 576 |
Release | 2008-05-29 |
Genre | Language Arts & Disciplines |
ISBN | 9780713674989 |
The average contemporary English speaker knows 50,000 words. Yet stripped down to its origins, this apparently huge vocabulary is in reality much smaller, derived from Latin, French and the Germanic languages. It is estimated that every year, 800 neologisms are added to the English language: acronyms (nimby), blended words (motel), and those taken from foreign languages (savoir-faire). Laid out in an A-Z 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.
Oxford Dictionary of Word Origins
Title | Oxford Dictionary of Word Origins PDF eBook |
Author | Julia Cresswell |
Publisher | Oxford University Press, USA |
Pages | 514 |
Release | 2010-09-09 |
Genre | History |
ISBN | 0199547939 |
Contains alphabetically arranged entries that explore the origin, evolution, and social history of over three thousand English language words.
Dictionary of Word Origins
Title | Dictionary of Word Origins PDF eBook |
Author | Joseph T Shipley |
Publisher | Open Road Media |
Pages | 1067 |
Release | 2021-10-26 |
Genre | Language Arts & Disciplines |
ISBN | 1504068041 |
This extensive reference volume presents the etymological history of thousands of English words. The story of how words come to be is the story of how humans think, and how we fashion our civilizations. Words can be the product of long and intertwining histories, migrations from other languages, or new coinages of science or slang. This diversity of origins is part of what gives the English language its beauty and power. In Dictionary of Word Origins, etymologist Joseph T. Shipley provides a fascinating window into the evolution of modern English, from the onomatopoetic aspect of “abash” to the animalistic origins of “zodiac.”
Word Origins and Their Romantic Stories
Title | Word Origins and Their Romantic Stories PDF eBook |
Author | Wilfred John Funk |
Publisher | |
Pages | 432 |
Release | 2004 |
Genre | English language |
ISBN |
Webster's Dictionary of Word Origins
Title | Webster's Dictionary of Word Origins PDF eBook |
Author | |
Publisher | |
Pages | 552 |
Release | 2004 |
Genre | English language |
ISBN | 9780760755433 |