Dictionary of Word Origins
Description:... "Words are the building blocks of language, but their derivations are often stories in themselves. Have you ever wondered why we tread gingerly, use cliche, work on our stamina, speak in jargon? With entries from antelope to zoo and including such disparate items as blackmail, fiasco, influence and rigmarole, Dictionary of Word Origins explains the origins and development of over 300 commonly used words. Essays scattered throughout the book deal with more general topics such as 'A Taste of India', 'Days of the Week' and 'Precise Timing'." "In selecting words for inclusion, Linda and Roger Flavell have chosen those with a story to tell. The result is a fascinating guide to the richness and diversity of the English language. It boasts both sufficient scholarly accuracy to satisfy the serious student and much to delight the browser motivated by a quest for knowledge and a love of words." --Book Jacket.
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