Where did the words bungalow and assassin derive? What did nice mean in the Middle Ages? How were adder, anger, and umpire originally spelt? The answers can be found in this essential companion to any popular dictionary. With over 17,000 entries, this is the most authoritative and comprehensive guide to word origins available in paperback. Based on The Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology, the principal authority on the origin and development of English words, it contains a wealth of information about our language and its history.
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"A model of its kind--all that anyone other than a specialist needs to know about words."--Daily Telegraph
About the Author
T. F. Hoad is Lecturer in English at Oxford University.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
43 of 47 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
This book is fantastic. When I was a boy my father used to always say to me when I asked what a word meant 'look it up in the dictionary'. This has stayed with me into my adult life, and encouraged me to learn new words and their meanings. This book goes a further step and shows where words originate which is facinating and provides many dinner party conversations.
I have also read some of the Chambers dictionary, and was dissapointed with some of the americanism in this book. The Oxford Dictionary is consise and clear in its layout, and a throughly good reference book. My knowledge of the english language has increased tenfold - highly recommended.
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The book is very concise, it treats words in a shallow, unserious manner as if the reader is not expected to have deep interests. There is hardly a definition which one can find satisfactory. You just have to read a definition several times and make guesses! I have checked up words which I know for sure are Shakespearean coinages, and it says nothing about it! It is a shallow, careless, contentless book, not worth a penny!
20 of 23 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
A fascinatingly varied and challenging subject is sadly mishandled by the critic T F Hoad, who seems intent on trumpeting his own brilliance and contemporary knowledge at every opportunity, while simultaneously neglecting to add anything that might be of any interest to anyone who is not personally familiar with the critics' foibles. A sad business all round for etymology, which deserved better.
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4.0 out of 5 stars
just what I expected
This was an asked or xmas present. Having done both Latin & Franch at school and having an inter
est in Esperanto and how it was developed I have long been fascinated to know... Read more
est in Esperanto and how it was developed I have long been fascinated to know... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Lincs Lass
2.0 out of 5 stars
Superficial popular dictionary
I cannot imagine an etymological dictionary not being interesting, but that stems from the fascinating subject and not from the book itself. Read more
Published on 11 Nov 2003 by Esben Alfort
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