Overview

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. The book draws on Oxford's unrivalled dictionary research programme and language monitoring, and relates the fascinating stories behind many of our most curious terms and expressions in order to offer the reader a much more explicit account than can be found in a general English dictionary.Organized A-Z, the entries include first known use along with examples that illustrate the many faces of the particular word or phrase, from 'handsome' to 'bachelor' and 'cute' to 'baby', from 'pagan' to 'palaver' and 'toff' to 'torpedo'. Also featured are almost 20 special panels that cover expressions common in English but drawn from other languages, such as 'coffee', 'sugar', and 'candy' from Arabic or 'booze', 'brandy', and 'gin' (Dutch). This absorbing volume is useful for language students and enthusiasts, but also an intriguing read for any person interested in the development of the English language and of language development in general. Includes an extended introduction on the history of the English language.

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9780199547937

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Reviews

It is an ideal stocking filler...a delightful cornucopia of derivations. * Crawford Gillian, East Anglian Daily Times * I enjoyed picking up this chattily written dictionary. * Dot Wordsworth, Spectator * This book is as engrossing...as it is enlightening...erudite and delightful work. * Christopher Hirst, The Independent * A fascinating book for anyone interested in the English language. * Writing Magazine *

This book is as engrossing...as it is enlightening...erudite and delightful work. Christopher Hirst, The Independent I enjoyed picking up this chattily written dictionary. Dot Wordsworth, Spectator It is an ideal stocking filler...a delightful cornucopia of derivations. Crawford Gillian, East Anglian Daily Times

`A treasure (from the Greek 'thesauros', treasure, store or storehouse) trove (past participle of an Anglo-Norman verb meaning 'to find') of verbal wonders.' William Hartston, Beachcomber of the Daily Express

I enjoyed picking up this chattily written dictionary. Dot Wordsworth, Spectator It is an ideal stocking filler...a delightful cornucopia of derivations. Crawford Gillian, East Anglian Daily Times

Author Information

Julia Cresswell is an experienced author and language researcher, having worked on the 4th edition of the Shorter Oxford English Dictionary. Books to her credit include Naming Your Baby: The Definitive Dictionary of First Names, and The Cat's Pyjamas: The Penguin Book of Clichés.

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