Overview

A fun, new approach to examining etymology Many common English words started out with an entirely different meaning than the one we know today. For example: The word adamant came into English around 855 B.C. as a synonym for 'diamond, ' very different from today's meaning of the word: utterly unyielding in attitude or opinion. Before the year 1200, the word silly meant blessed, and was derived from Old English saelig, meaning happy. This word went through several incarnations before adopting today's meaning: stupid or foolish. In Semantic Antics, lexicographer Sol Steinmetz takes readers on an in-depth, fascinating journey to learn how hundreds of words have evolved from their first meaning to the meanings used today.

Full Product Details

9780375426124

Table of Contents

Reviews

Author Information

Tab Content 6

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

Countries Available