Oxford Dictionary of Word Origins
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 program 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 detailed explanation 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).
Check also: 101 Essays That Will Change The Way You Think (Download in PDF)
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. It also includes an extended introduction on the history of the English language.
Download Oxford Dictionary of Word Origins in PDF
Oxford Dictionary of Word Origins
The Oxford Dictionary of Word Origins 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 program 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 detailed explanation 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).
Check also: 101 Essays That Will Change The Way You Think (Download in PDF)
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. It also includes an extended introduction on the history of the English language.