Dictionary of Word Origins by John Ayto

Dictionary of Word Origins by John Ayto

Uncover the hidden and often surprising connection between words. Written in a clear and informative style, the more than 8,000 articles reveal the origins of and links between some of the most common English-language words. What is the link between map and apron, acrobat and oxygen, zeal and jealousy, flour and pollen, secret and crime? Did you know that crimson originally comes from the name of tiny scale insects, the kermes, from whose dried bodies a red dyestuff is made? That Yankee began as a nickname for Dutchmen? That omelette evolved from amulette, “a thin sheet of metal,” and is a not-too-distant cousin of the word laminate? That jeans find their antecedent in jean fustian, meaning “a cotton fabric from Genoa”? They also contain an extensive selection of words whose life histories are intrinsically fascinating or instructive. This dictionary shows how modern English has developed from its Indo-European roots and how the various influences on the language—from migration and invasion to exploration, trade, technology, and scholarship—have intermingled. It is an invaluable addition to any English or linguistics library.

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9781611450538
ISBN 10	1611450535
Title	Dictionary of Word Origins
Author	John Ayto
Condition	Unavailable
Binding type	Paperback
Publisher	Skyhorse Publishing
Year published	2011-04-21
Number of pages	592
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.
Note	Unavailable