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 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.

ISBN 0199547939   Weight (grammes) 370 ISBN13 9780199547937 (What's this?)   Published in Oxford Publisher Oxford University Press   Series title Oxford Paperback Reference Imprint Oxford University Press   Previous ISBN 9780198608936 Format Paperback   Height (mm) 196 Publication date 10 Jul 2010   Width (mm) 129 DEWEY 422.03   Spine width (mm) 30 DEWEY edition DC22   Academic level General Pages 512

		Abbreviations
		Introduction
		Word Building
		Dictionary		1
		Word panels
		Arabic		21
		Australian		29
		Chinese		85
		Dutch		140
		French		178
		German		187
		Italian		228
		Japanese		232
		Latin		247
		Native American		288
		Persian		319
		Raj [Indian]		356
		Romany		372
		Scottish		386
		South African		412
		Spanish		415
		US [American]		468
		Yiddish		497
		Glossary		501

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

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