Overview

Take a fascinating journey from cornflakes (1907) to spam (1994). This vivid picture of the last 105 years is based on John Ayto's critically acclaimed Twentieth Century Words, and gives a selection of the key words added to the English language in the twentieth century and the early years of the twenty-first. For each decade, an introductory essay identifies the main historical, cultural, and scientific currents, and shows how they contributed new vocabulary to the language. An A-Z listing of words which were first recorded in that decade follows, selected for their resonance to today's world. Each word is fully described and its origins explained. A final section looks at vocabulary developments of the new millennium. Full of surprises, this book is at once a glimpse of the past and a handbook for today.

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9780198614524

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The book's content and treatment are of high quality.--Library Journal

The book's content and treatment are of high quality. --Library Journal<br>

<br> The book's content and treatment are of high quality. --Library Journal<p><br>

Author Information

"Dr. John Ayto is an experienced lexicographer and author of several language titles. His previous books for OUP include The Oxford Dictionary of Slang, The Oxford Dictionary of Modern Slang, and The Oxford Essential Guide to the English Language. His most recent book, Twentieth Century Words (OUP, 1999), was reviewed as ""An absolutely terrific book, brimming with nostalgia, thoroughly addictive and full of surprises""."

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