Word and phrase origins book

Many are obvious, for example 1916 gave us uboat and 1917 tailspin. May 08, 2019 yet another theory for the origins of the word abracadabra is the aramaic phrase avra kadavra. This edition was especially created in 1998 for quality paperback book club by arrangement with facts on file, inc. Qpb encyclopedia of word and phrase origins by robert hendrickson. Seemingly designed for those with laserfocused attention or plenty of time on their hands, the facts on file encyclopedia of word and phrase. The price is amazing and the words inside are intriguing. The story of the development of english provides an endless source of fascination not only for native speakers but also for students of english as a foreign or second language. Yet another theory for the origins of the word abracadabra is the aramaic phrase avra kadavra.

Couples would strut around gracefully and wellattired, and the couple with the best walk would win a cake as a prize. Anyone interested in the english language will be fascinated by and then obsessed with this dictionary that reads like an erudite gossip column for the city of words. Now in an updated and expanded fourth edition, the facts on file encyclopedia of word and phrase origins is a massive reference jampacked with definitions and origins of more than 15,000 words and expressions. Buy a cheap copy of the facts on file encyclopedia of word. 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. New book reveals the odd origins of our most popular phrases.

Comprehensive, authoritative, and eminently readable, the facts on file encyclopedia of word and phrase origins will delight the logophile and serve as an invaluable reference tool for all students of language and literature. Bibliography of sources of etymologies or english word. The book draws on oxfords unrivalled dictionary research programme and language monitoring, and relates the fascinating stories behind many of our most curious terms. Oxford dictionary of word origins oxford reference. Dictionary of word and phrase origins william morris.

Gruesome origins of innocent phrases business insider. Etymology books dictionary of word and phrase origins dictionary of word and phrase origins by william morris and mary morris editors. For example, in the entry for gaffer, at the end of the entry is says a gaffer is also the chief lighting technician on a movie or tv set, that is great as a definition, but it gives us absolutely no information as to why the word came to be used, the etymology of the the word in. Little oxford dictionary of word origins book the fast free. Your personal skill of reading proficiency is developing when you including reading. The meanings and origins of thousands of english phrases, sayings, idioms, expressions and proverbs that we use daily. Cassells dictionary of word and phrase origins by rees, nigel paperback book.

Knowing the origin of words and phrases will enlighten you to why its used, how its used, and how its changed over time. Moreover, the lack of a pronunciation guide and the volumes anecdotal approach undermine its academic value. Word origins was the first computer bug a real insect. No, you didnt already know this one, because it didnt originate from lewis carolls alice in wonderland. This book explores the intriguing origins and development of about 800 words and expressions in english. No artist suffered a crueler fate than woody guthrie, who went from footloose folk poet and, as he put it, onecylinder guitar picker to relatively young victim of a degenerative disease that left him crippled, voiceless, entombed in his own body. The phrase appeared in a 1902 novel called, its up to you where a prosperous character in the book was said to easily walk up and down easy street. Featuring words with interesting or surprising origins, it is an irresistible collection of word histories, including dates of origin and an authoritative account of each word s derivation. Delaware county district library ohio scanned in china. Books by robert hendrickson author of the facts on file. There are so many expressions that are explained in the book as well as the words themselves. Most everything you know about word and phrase origins is likely to be wrong, and david wilton proves it with a light touch and a wealth of fascinating case histories.

An updated and expanded edition, the facts on file encyclopedia of word and phrase origins, third edition contains definitions and origins of more than 12,500 words. In dog days and dandelions logophile martha barnette, editor of. Meaning sum of criminal charges is from 1926, hence slang phrase throw the book at 1932. Are you looking for the best books and resources for word origins etymology, expressions and cultural customs. In this new edition, william and mary morris update and expand their classic work to keep pace with our ever changing language. To book it, which has been recorded since the 1970s, is an abbreviation of the older bookity book, to run fast, to move quickly. A dictionary of 700 entries written in a popular, nontechnical style, explaining the origin and background of etymologicallyinteresting words, including some eponyms, toponyms, phrases, quotations and misquotations from the bible and shakespeare. After reading about this book and how it was better than many of its competitors, i purchased a copy. Qpb encyclopedia of word and phrase origins book, 2004. This is a handy book which contains hardtofind etymologies of words and, especially, phrases. Isaac asimov the morrises, wellknown lexicographers, published a dictionary of the same title in 1977, a revision of a threevolume work published between 1962 and 1971. To do something by the book according to the rules is from 1590s. There are lots of parents out there that have said sleep tight when they put their kids to bed. The facts on file encyclopedia of word and phrase origins writers.

The facts on file encyclopedia of word and phrase origins facts. Book of life the roll of those chosen for eternal life is from mid14c. The facts on file encyclopedia of word and phrase origins. An updated and expanded edition, the facts on file encyclopedia of word and phrase origins, third edition contains definitions and origins of. 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.

This reference work on the history, origin, and current. Online etymology dictionary origin, history and meaning. It tells where these comes from, and what they really mean. This greatly expanded and revised version of the critically acclaimed 1987 original contains more than 2,000 new entries. 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. On this page youll find our list of recommended books. The nook book ebook of the ebook verbivores feast, second course. Words, phrases or sayings origins, meanings by brownielocks. Today, it simply means anyone who lives comfortably, no matter what their address may be. In 17th century france, poisoning occurred among hat makers who used mercury for the hat.

Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. The encyclopedia of word and phrase origins fun with words. This collection is the first original book based on the hugely popular mavens word of the day feature. Morris dictionary of word and phrase origins book, 1988.

Buy morris dictionary of word and phrase origins by william morris online at alibris. Try to choose basic book to make you enjoy to learn it and mingle the feeling about book and reading through. Their origins and meanings reprint by ewart, neil isbn. Hendrickson admits that some origins presented are mere theories. Simply choose a letter to start exploring, or choose one of the categories below. This guide is designed for anyone who is looking for the origin of words andor phrases, also called etymology these terms will be used interchangeably in this pathfinder. The phrase takes the cake comes from the cake walks that were popular in the late 19th century. A noun phrase is built around a single noun, for example. Also check out our spark files for loads of interesting facts on word, phrase and custom origins. It also includes a book list of dictionaries, thesauri, and word phrase and origin books. To book it, which has been recorded since the 1970s, is an abbreviation of the older bookitybook, to run fast, to move quickly. Morris dictionary of word and phrase origins by william morris. In what is perhaps the best chapter in the book, dent gives a list of words that were coined in the last hundred years, one word a year for each year since 1904. Etymology books the encyclopedia of word and phrase origins the encyclopedia of word and phrase origins.

Phrases and sayings with meanings and origins explained. The most comprehensive singlevolume reference of its kind, the facts on file encyclopedia of word and phrase origins, fourth edition has been completely updated and expanded and now contains definitions and origins of more than 15,000 words and expressions. Morris dictionary of word and phrase origins book by. Encyclopedia is essential to any english and word enthusiast as well as writer.

I found the book full of interesting information, and a place to start, but not always complete or definitive. Morris dictionary of word and phrase origins has 2 available editions to buy at half price books marketplace. This verb, which is echoic of the sound of shoes slapping on the ground, goes back at least to the 1930s, when one fin. Explains the origins of thousands of words, proverbs, idioms, foreign language expressions, animal. Morris dictionary of word and phrase origins william morris. A phrase is a small group of words that forms a meaningful unit within a clause. The facts on file encyclopedia of word and phrase origins book.

Facts on file encyclopedia of word and phrase origins. The phrase computer bug has been around for a long time, but was it created due to an incident involving a real insect. This edition was especially created in 2004 for the quality paperback book club by arrangement with facts on file, inc. This book contains a mediumsized selection of words, but each word is laboriously discussed and researched. The best books on word, phrase and custom origins are you looking for the best books and resources for word origins etymology, expressions and cultural customs. It has every expression youve ever heard of and then some. Cassells dictionary of word and phrase origins cassell dictionary of. Absolutely everyone with an interest in language will love this book. Etymology word origins interesting phrase histories.

Arranged in alphabetical order for handy reference, this book contains more than 3,000 everyday words and expressions. We have a list full of hundreds of phrases and sayings. Here is the book that mavens fans have been asking for. The site has become a favorite resource of teachers of reading, spelling, and english as a second language. Internet archive contributor internet archive language english. There are entries for words derived from other languages, coined words, words from the names of people and places, and more. You can choose the actual book dictionary of word and phrase origins to make your current reading is interesting. The first edition of the morris dictionary of word and phrase origins detailed the fascinating and little known stories behind thousands of words and phrases that we use every day. Here is a selection of wellknown expressions and how they came into being. Arranged in alphabetical order for handy reference, this book contains more than 3000 everyday words and expressions.

Qpb encyclopedia of word and phrase origins robert. But some are surprising in how early or late they appear. Interestingly, cake walk was soon used to describe something that could be done very easily, and its very possible that from. You can use this list to learn about their meaning and origin.

Lighter, editor, historical dictionary of american slang. The word detective this is the online version of the column of the same name. She was reading a book about the emancipation of women. What our everyday sayings and idioms figuratively mean, unlocks the surprising origins of some of our most popular phrases. Reviewed in the united states on december 27, 2004. The book draws on oxfords unrivalled dictionary research.

Its origins date from the 17th and 18th centuries well before lewis carolls book was published. Books by robert hendrickson meet your next favorite book. Definitions and origins of more than 12,500 words and expressions by robert hendrickson 4. In the harry potter series, avada kedavra functions as a killing curse, and j. This is like an extra dictionary, only more in depth.

Pdf oxford dictionary of word origins download full pdf. Why do we say a person is a nerd or a wally or a twerp. First published in 1997 under the title the facts on file encyclopedia of word and phrase origins, revised and expanded edition. This is an updated encyclopedia that explores the origins of thousands of words and phrases. Fans of the harry potter series would perhaps be familiar with this phrase, as a similar spell, avada kedavra is featured in the books. Morris dictionary of word and phrase origins by william. Little oxford dictionary of word origins book the fast free shipping. Word origins of food and drink by ayto, john book the.

Beautifully produced and attractively designed, this fascinating volume is a pleasure to browse. Most people have known somebody in need of the hair of the dog, but where did the phrase come from. In addition to being an indispensable reference volume, this book could well be picked up at random and read with interest and delight. Etymology of phrases the origins and histories of idioms, sadinys, phrases, and other expressions are often even more fascinating than the etymologies of the individual words themselves. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

For anyone seeking an engaging, entertaining, and thoroughly readable work on word histories the dictionary of word and phrase origins could not be more highly recommended. I was somewhat disappointed due to the several omissions and the seemingly unnecessary inclusion of other words and phrases. The fascinating origins of these 30 common slang terms. Word and phrase origins this guide is designed for anyone who is looking for the origin of words and or phrases, also called etymology these terms will be used interchangeably in this pathfinder.