The Etymologicon springs from Mark Forsyth's Inky Fool blog on the strange connections between words. It's an occasionally ribald, frequently witty and unerringly erudite guided tour of the secret labyrinth that lurks beneath the English language, taking in monks and monkeys, film buffs and buffaloes, and explaining precisely what the Rolling Stones have to do with gardening.
The Etymologicon
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'I'm hooked on Forsyth's book ... Crikey, but this is addictive' - Mathew Parris, The Times, October 13
'One of the books of the year. It is too enjoyable for words.' - Henry Coningsby, Bookseller
'The Etymologicon, contains fascinating facts' - Daily Mail, October 24
'Kudos should go to Mark Forsyth, author of The Etymologicon ... Clearly a man who knows his onions, Mr Forsyth must have worked 19 to the dozen, spotting red herrings and unravelling inkhorn terms, to bestow this boon - a work of the first water, to coin a phrase.' - Daily Telegraph
'The stocking filler of the season... How else to describe a book that explains the connection between Dom Pérignon and Mein Kampf, ' - Robert McCrum, The Observer
'A perfect bit of stocking filler for the bookish member of the family, or just a cracking all-year-round-read. Highly recommended.'
- Matthew Richardson, The Spectator, 15 Nov
'One of the books of the year. It is too enjoyable for words.' - Henry Coningsby, Bookseller
'The Etymologicon, contains fascinating facts' - Daily Mail, October 24
'Kudos should go to Mark Forsyth, author of The Etymologicon ... Clearly a man who knows his onions, Mr Forsyth must have worked 19 to the dozen, spotting red herrings and unravelling inkhorn terms, to bestow this boon - a work of the first water, to coin a phrase.' - Daily Telegraph
'The stocking filler of the season... How else to describe a book that explains the connection between Dom Pérignon and Mein Kampf, ' - Robert McCrum, The Observer
'A perfect bit of stocking filler for the bookish member of the family, or just a cracking all-year-round-read. Highly recommended.'
- Matthew Richardson, The Spectator, 15 Nov
From the Author
Mark Forsyth is a writer, journalist and blogger. Every job he's ever had, whether as a ghost-writer or proof-reader or copy-writer, has been to do with words. He started The Inky Fool blog in 2009 and now writes a post almost every day. The blog has received worldwide attention and enjoys an average of 4,000 hits per week.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
174 of 176 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Mark Forsyth's meanderings through the English language are carried off with a panache that frankly leaves other etymological 'dictionaries' looking dry, dusty and rightly shelf-bound. Indeed, the fact that the book starts with the phrase "a turn up for the books" indicates exactly that; this is not a reference book, but a new, unique and often hilarious way of drawing out the richness of English in the form of a comic journey through the verbal linkages, rhyming paths and allegorical alleyways which crowd the author's inventive mind. Equally, though you can dip in and out so it's ideal commuting reading. I was most amused to learn about the link between underwear and Christianity on my way home today. I shall be on Amazon stocking up on more copies to stock stockings before Christmas... Any link there?
31 of 31 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
what a wonderful compendium of interesting links between the words in our language. this is the perfect companion to an armchair and a log fire; and, after reading this book, you won't see English in the same way as you did before - you'll see English as a far friendlier entity, full of interconnections and pleasing self-references. buy 'the etymologicon' today, i urge you: if you want to enjoy all the more every single conversation you'll ever have in the future, that is.
137 of 140 people found the following review helpful
By Annabel S.
Format:Hardcover
This witty and erudite book was filed in the reference section of my local bookshop. But despite the slightly forbidding title, and the fact that it is full of enlightening facts and connections, it shouldn't be be bought for reference so much as enjoyment("edutainment", perhaps, although the eloquent Mr Forsyth would probably disapprove of such a clumsy coinage). Perhaps the best way to describe it is to say that it wears its learning very lightly.
The writer takes you on a whirlwind journey through a series of words and historical facts, ingeniously linking each one to the next. There's a fair amount of schoolboy humour, so perhaps not one to buy for someone who doesn't appreciate references to codpieces, but this all adds to the fun (who would have guessed that feisty came from a word meaning "fart"?)
It was very difficult to read this without smiling, both at the jokes and with the joy of discovering new and useless scraps of information.
The writer takes you on a whirlwind journey through a series of words and historical facts, ingeniously linking each one to the next. There's a fair amount of schoolboy humour, so perhaps not one to buy for someone who doesn't appreciate references to codpieces, but this all adds to the fun (who would have guessed that feisty came from a word meaning "fart"?)
It was very difficult to read this without smiling, both at the jokes and with the joy of discovering new and useless scraps of information.
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4.6 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sensational.
I've read and re-read this book over and over. Well and interestingly written, full of facts to bore the pants off of all and sundry. Arrived spot on time.
Published 1 day ago by sadoldie
5.0 out of 5 stars
word smith
very entertaining , love it , the derivation of english words and phrase's , very good if as i am facinated by language
Published 2 days ago by G. A. Matthews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Essential part of experience.
Reading the book, you absorb the words, humour and context.
Having the book read to you, you immerse yourself in the words highlighted effortlessly. Read more
Having the book read to you, you immerse yourself in the words highlighted effortlessly. Read more
Published 10 days ago by Jack Chakotay
5.0 out of 5 stars
Magical silliness!
a nonsensical but thoroughly entertaining read which can ennable the reader to impress by recounting ridiculous anecdotes or etymological derivations of strange words if so... Read more
Published 15 days ago by Lorraine Potter
4.0 out of 5 stars
Funny
I laughed out loud as I read this book. It ia a good one to keep in your bag and just dip into it during your "waiting for a bus" times.
Published 25 days ago by Pammy
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amusing
Fun read. Like falling into some well of mad endless knowledge.
I've used quite a few bits from the book in English lessons - students loved them.
I've used quite a few bits from the book in English lessons - students loved them.
Published 25 days ago by AgentMulderUK
4.0 out of 5 stars
Etymologically stimulating.
Interesting and fun at the same time. Not a one-sitting, cover to cover read, but one to be savoured over time.
Published 26 days ago by R F BLAKE
4.0 out of 5 stars
Words can be fun!
This book is very amusing whilst also being very informative. A really good read. If you like being amused, buy it.
Published 28 days ago by alimaeb
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Etymologicon by Mark Forsyth
Quite a delightful book full of humour and information on the origin of words and phrases. It is a reference book that one can dip in and out and it never fails to amuse.
Published 29 days ago by tobykin
3.0 out of 5 stars
Amusing and humourous
I enjoyed this book in bite-sized chunks while waiting at airports. (It's chapters lend itself to such treatment, even if you can't find the take-away that first coined the phrase... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Steve_Morris
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