The Secret Life of Words: How English Became English [Paperback]

'Hitchings's excavations are a treat. He presents the best gleanings of academia in a winning, conversational style. Almost every spadeful yields an etymological nugget . . . elegantly and entertainingly written'

'[It] disentangles an intriguing narrative from a mass of information, revealing the distinct cultural climates that produced certain words and bearing witness to an increasing global language, always morphing into something new'

'A fascinating exploration of the rich borrowings, exchanges and couplings of the language'

'Hitchings delves into words, resurfacing with their surprising origins'

'It is a book that brings etymology fizzingly alive ... it teems with vivid, quirky evidence of the way the English vocabulary bears continuing witness to our cultural history'

'His book is a patient, thorough and highly entertaining excavation'

'Hitchings's examples cover the full span of English'

'Expert analysis ... this is a wonderfully well-organised and entertaining book, which thoroughly deserved to win last year's John Llewellyn Rhys Prize'

'Hitchings has teased out the stories lurking behind the language to provide a most satisfying whole'

'Much more than a collage of etymological trivia, this is a dense and thorough excavation of the stories that lie behind the words we say'

'Quite how Hitchings has managed to wrestle this dizzying mountain of dense information into such an elegant narrative . . . is a feat almost as admirable as that of the great lexicographer. His book is painstakingly detailed, closely argued and suffused with a contagious enthusiasm for the secrets woven into the fabric of our words

'Hitchings steps deftly round the traps and the stereotypes, while throwing up great clouds of delicious trivia'

'Filled with fascinating nuggets'

'A thrilling narrative history of our uniquely beautiful and thriving language'

'Comprehensive guide ... with countless revelations and world-related trivia, this is the often surprising story of the words we take for granted'

'This is a hugely informative and non-academic account'

'Fascinating subject ... a detailed, comprehensive study ...there are lots of surprises, and the  author's enthusiasm is infectious. An entertaining and informative read'

'Wonderfully detailed history ... a rich and rewarding read'

'The author's deliverings reveal much that intrigues about our history and about our social environment'