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49th out of 111 books
—
159 voters
The Etymologicon: A Circular Stroll through the Hidden Connections of the English Language
by
Mark Forsyth (Goodreads Author)
Do you know why...
...a mortgage is literally a death pledge? ...why guns have girls' names? ...why salt is related to soldier?
You're about to find out...
The Etymologicon (e-t?-'ma-la-ji-kan) is:
*Witty (wi-te\): Full of clever humor*Erudite (er-?-dit): Showing knowledge*Ribald (ri-b?ld): Crude, offensive
"The Etymologicon "is a completely unauthorized guide to the st...more
...a mortgage is literally a death pledge? ...why guns have girls' names? ...why salt is related to soldier?
You're about to find out...
The Etymologicon (e-t?-'ma-la-ji-kan) is:
*Witty (wi-te\): Full of clever humor*Erudite (er-?-dit): Showing knowledge*Ribald (ri-b?ld): Crude, offensive
"The Etymologicon "is a completely unauthorized guide to the st...more
Hardcover, 252 pages
Published
November 3rd 2011
by Icon Books
(first published November 2011)
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As someone who really loves words and their meanings and histories I can't say enough how much I loved this book. I did not want it to end and now I want to find more books just like it. Some things I knew but I learned a lot. The joy is in finding them out so I won't give any away on here.
This book was great from start to finish and for anyone with a love of words it is a must-read.
This book was great from start to finish and for anyone with a love of words it is a must-read.
Sep 14, 2012
James
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommended to James by:
Shhexycorin
Shelves:
i-own-a-copy,
language,
humour,
ebook,
5-stars,
read-in-2012,
read-in-teenties,
reviewed,
non-fiction
There can be few better recommendations for any book than that you continuously feel the need to read excepts out to those around you, no matter what they are doing (or what else they are trying to read themselves). "Oh, this one is great."; "Just this one and I'll stop."; "Ah, wait, this one is really good too.". I've only felt the need to do this with two books this year — this one because I was really enjoying it, the other because it was just so ridiculous in places.
The Etymologicon is a boo...more
The Etymologicon is a boo...more
7 likes · like · see review
The subtitle sums it up pretty nicely: A Circular Stroll Through the Hidden Connections of the English Language. Forsyth, the man behind the blog Inky Fool, is obsessed with where words come from and with wit takes you on a roundabout journey through his obsession. I started reading this fully thinking that I'd pick it up here and there when I needed a break from my current fiction in progress. But I pretty much read this book straight through and enjoyed it very much. The target audience is def...more
2 likes · like · see review
fervently read the first 3/4, got the main idea, skipped some to the end and just read the ones I found fascinating.
I mostly read this book in 15 min. increments ... better to soak in what was read. Otherwise, it might have overwhelming.
If you like The Mother Tongue: English and How It Got That Way, or Bryson's Dictionary of Troublesome Words: A Writer's Guide to Getting It Right, The Professor and the Madman: A Tale of Murder, Insanity, and the Making of the Oxford English Dictionary, The OED,...more
I mostly read this book in 15 min. increments ... better to soak in what was read. Otherwise, it might have overwhelming.
If you like The Mother Tongue: English and How It Got That Way, or Bryson's Dictionary of Troublesome Words: A Writer's Guide to Getting It Right, The Professor and the Madman: A Tale of Murder, Insanity, and the Making of the Oxford English Dictionary, The OED,...more
‘I’m hooked on Forsyth’s book … Crikey, but this is addictive’ Mathew Parris, The Times
‘The Etymologicon contains fascinating facts’ Daily Mail
‘Kudos should go to Mark Forsyth, author of The Etymologicon … Clearly a man who knows his onions, Mr Forsyth must have worked 19 to the dozen, spotting red herrings and unravelling inkhorn terms, to bestow this boon – a work of the first water, to coin a phrase. Daily Telegraph, October 23
‘From Nazis and film buffs to heckling and humble pie, the obscure...more
‘The Etymologicon contains fascinating facts’ Daily Mail
‘Kudos should go to Mark Forsyth, author of The Etymologicon … Clearly a man who knows his onions, Mr Forsyth must have worked 19 to the dozen, spotting red herrings and unravelling inkhorn terms, to bestow this boon – a work of the first water, to coin a phrase. Daily Telegraph, October 23
‘From Nazis and film buffs to heckling and humble pie, the obscure...more
I thought this was a fantastic book! I have learnt many new things about language, as I have always had an interest in the English language I recommend this book to others who also have that interest. This book, I found, was very well researched and the individual chapters flowed very nicely and the links between them were very clever. I found it very addictive and not once did I lose interest, because of this I am actually sad that I have finished it. I will no doubt be re-reading it over and o...more
Jul 23, 2012
Lucy
added it
This novel is described as "A Circular Stroll Through the Hidden Connections of the English Language", which I think sums it up pretty well. Forsyth explains the origins and development of words and idioms in a linked, "circular" manner that reminds me slightly of Dave's "Tedious Link" on Radio 1 (although less tedious). It's filled with QI-esque knowledge to annoy your friends and family, and explains a lot of things I often ponder over (why is the petrol company Shell called that?)
From describ...more
From describ...more
I sometimes get sent to read a book that doesn't fit with www.popularscience.co.uk but that I want to tell the world about. Such a book is The Etymologicon.
I ought to get a disclaimer out of the way - this title is published by Icon, the same people who publish my Inflight Science, but don't worry, I've slagged off their books in the past.
As the name sort of suggests, this is a book about where words come from, which as a writer I'm a sucker for - but anyone should find it fun. It's light, enter...more
I ought to get a disclaimer out of the way - this title is published by Icon, the same people who publish my Inflight Science, but don't worry, I've slagged off their books in the past.
As the name sort of suggests, this is a book about where words come from, which as a writer I'm a sucker for - but anyone should find it fun. It's light, enter...more
This is a lovely book. Each short chapter explores the history of a few words around a similar theme, such as the various words coming from the French word for chicken "poulet" (e.g. pool, pot) (which was a game of "chicken" in which the lucky winner took the prize of a pot of pooled money) (the chicken didn't ever win). Each chapter then links to the next forming an unbroken chain which starts and ends with the word "book" (hence it being a "Circular Stroll").
I especially liked the words that c...more
I especially liked the words that c...more
A good, if a bit of a shallow read.
Honestly, it almost seems silly to review the book - if you like the sample on Amazon, you'll probably enjoy the book.
The book itself is divided into dozens of short sections(few pages at most) that go as follows:
1. An introduction to a root word and the origin of that word.
2. The word is then traced throughout history to its modern incantation.
3. A short paragraph using other related words
4. A bridge to the next section.
The book doesn't ever really deviate fro...more
Honestly, it almost seems silly to review the book - if you like the sample on Amazon, you'll probably enjoy the book.
The book itself is divided into dozens of short sections(few pages at most) that go as follows:
1. An introduction to a root word and the origin of that word.
2. The word is then traced throughout history to its modern incantation.
3. A short paragraph using other related words
4. A bridge to the next section.
The book doesn't ever really deviate fro...more
I've been struggling to come up with a review that will do this eccentric and intregueing book justice. You could say I can't find the words for it which, depending on how loosely you define the term is a bit ironic.
I've always been a bit of an etymological geek (though not a geek in the etymological sense of the word). Perhaps because the motto of my household as a young child was "look it up". Reading books beyond my age bracket forced me to do a lot of this and some times I would find myself...more
I've always been a bit of an etymological geek (though not a geek in the etymological sense of the word). Perhaps because the motto of my household as a young child was "look it up". Reading books beyond my age bracket forced me to do a lot of this and some times I would find myself...more
As an author I'm very fond of playing around with language and the idea of a narrative-driven book about etymology appealed to me immensely. I was prepared for it to be a little dry in places, possibly to feel a bit like a dictionary with slightly more plot, but the Etymologicon is none of these things. Instead, it's a rollercoaster ride through the English language, each chapter taking a theme such as a writer who originated a great many words or a word which has given rise to many other words...more
The Etymologicon: A Circular Stroll through the Hidden Connections of the English language by Mark Forsyth, is a dry painfully long title; the book however is brimming with humour and facts about the English language.
Forsyth is fascinated by the etymology of the English language. The book's format is to discuss a word, provide the history and the development of it and a cluster of similar words and then like a broken telephone, takes you to the next chapter/word via a cliff hanger hook. Each cha...more
Forsyth is fascinated by the etymology of the English language. The book's format is to discuss a word, provide the history and the development of it and a cluster of similar words and then like a broken telephone, takes you to the next chapter/word via a cliff hanger hook. Each cha...more
p. 97
Morpheus, from which morphine derives, was the Greek god of dreams. He was the son of Sleep and the brother of Fantasy, and he lived in a cave near the underworld here he would make dreams and then hang them upon a withered elm until they were ready to use.
p. 123
There was an explorer at the beginning of the nineteenth century called Alexander von Humboldt. He was in Venezuela and found an old parrot that still repeated words from the language of the Ature tribe. Nobody else did, because the...more
Morpheus, from which morphine derives, was the Greek god of dreams. He was the son of Sleep and the brother of Fantasy, and he lived in a cave near the underworld here he would make dreams and then hang them upon a withered elm until they were ready to use.
p. 123
There was an explorer at the beginning of the nineteenth century called Alexander von Humboldt. He was in Venezuela and found an old parrot that still repeated words from the language of the Ature tribe. Nobody else did, because the...more
I picked this book up back when it was Amazon’s Kindle Deal of the Day a few weeks ago. I thought it looked pretty interesting although I really had no idea what to expect from it at all – I’ve never read any book on etymology before. Of all of the books to start with, I think I picked the right one.
The Etymologicon explores a whole mass of words and phrases in the English language that we take for granted every single day and it looks at how words have morphed and evolved from one language to a...more
The Etymologicon explores a whole mass of words and phrases in the English language that we take for granted every single day and it looks at how words have morphed and evolved from one language to a...more
This is a fascinating book about the origins of some words in the English language. It meanders from word to word, most of the time finding a suitable, yet weird or unexpected way to "hop over" to the next word. Chances are you learn more than you really wanted to know (hint: testicles), which can also be really entertaining. I couldn't possibly remember everything, but some things are so interesting and/or surprising that they will surely stick. Fascinating stuff, for example why coders don't l...more
As a lover of words and their origins (also being a linguistics major) I was unbelievably excited to read this composition of all things that I love. I had not read Forsyth's work before (save an article here and there) but had heard of his cleverness and ingenuity.
Fortunately, after finishing the book in a matter of days, I was not let down in any way. I am 99% sure that I learned more in this 252 page book than I ever have in my countless 600 to 700 page textbooks. In addition, many of the fac...more
Fortunately, after finishing the book in a matter of days, I was not let down in any way. I am 99% sure that I learned more in this 252 page book than I ever have in my countless 600 to 700 page textbooks. In addition, many of the fac...more
I fear my burgeoning interest in etymology has turned me into a crashing bore. I can’t get through a conversation these days without a digression into the history of a particular word. My mum was showing me her lovely in-bloom garden the other day and all I was able to contribute was, ‘You know, foxgloves were originally called Folks’ gloves, because Folks were what people called fairies…’ (Cue polite ‘oh, really?’)
Apart from the health warning that this book will inhibit your ability to have no...more
Apart from the health warning that this book will inhibit your ability to have no...more
4 likes · like · see review
I’m sorry to say that as time went on I found this book very boring. It is written in a serpentine fashion, with the origin of one word slipping kind of seamlessly into the origin of the next, and it is written in a rather chummy down-the-pub kind of language ”when John grew up he began telling people that they were naughty and chucking them in a river. Now if you or I tried a stunt like that we’d be brought up by the police pretty sharpish. But John got away with it and, if you can believe it,...more
7 likes · like · see review
I caught parts of this book when it was featured recently on B.B.C.'s Radio Four Book of the Week programme. As I was driving at the time I kept missing bits. However I heard enough to want to read it.
'The Etymologicon' is a clever little book that is filled with words, and with much wit thrown in, explains their derivations from Anglo-Saxon, Greek, Latin, modern European and Indian origins, to list just the main connections. Mark Forsyth explores language from the four corners that has contribu...more
'The Etymologicon' is a clever little book that is filled with words, and with much wit thrown in, explains their derivations from Anglo-Saxon, Greek, Latin, modern European and Indian origins, to list just the main connections. Mark Forsyth explores language from the four corners that has contribu...more
A book full of new words and the history of how the word came to be. Sims wonderful book is for those who are interested in picking out English words that are barely used nowadays, and it is like a treasure hunt for those who get easily amazed by new words. Though I am going to say that I felt this book was more disorganized compared to his second book because the second book is organized by the time of day, so the words are under specific sections. I read the 'Etymologicon' first, and I felt th...more
A linguaphile's delight! Browsing through a book sale in the quest of a completely unrelated book, I chanced upon this gem. A case of serendipity? Like the three princes of Serendip? Forsyth takes you on a fun ride through the macrocosm of etymology. It’s a journey you won’t forget easily. You gape at connections between beavers, castor oil, and the zodiac sign Gemini. You happily pootle along an interesting chapter on frequentative suffixes. You gasp at a certain sex-crazed, autopeotomized lexi...more
I bought this book when I was in the UK based on the recommendation of a friend and it was well worth it. It is a sort of stream of consciousness stroll through words and phrases as their meaning is dissected down to the root and then built up over time. It is a guilty pleasure and full of information. I wouldn't use the term, "useless information" because all information has its use, but you have to have to right kind of dinner party to discuss the origin of the word "testament".
There is no re...more
There is no re...more
This book has a number of really interesting etymological anecdotes. However, it has no bibliography, so I take them with a grain of salt despite the author's protestations that they're all sourced and true. I would give this book a higher rating, but where the author clearly thought he was being cute and light by skipping from story to story with a kind of "before and after" narrative skein, it ended up being more exhausting than amusing. It sort of felt like talking to an autistic person who n...more
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4 likes · like · see review
I really enjoyed this book after not being sure that I would.
Each short section is themed, linking two seemingly disparate words via all manner of twists and turns, the final word often the starting theme of the next section. I enjoyed this layout, and the short sections. I read the book in less than a week and I feel that I retained a lot of knowledge that I genuinely found interesting. Now I can annoy my friends whenever a word that I know about comes up in conversation, pointing out what it r...more
Each short section is themed, linking two seemingly disparate words via all manner of twists and turns, the final word often the starting theme of the next section. I enjoyed this layout, and the short sections. I read the book in less than a week and I feel that I retained a lot of knowledge that I genuinely found interesting. Now I can annoy my friends whenever a word that I know about comes up in conversation, pointing out what it r...more
I love this book. Full of silly stories about the histories of words, and other word-related trivia. Such as the longest grammatically correct sentence in the English language that uses only one word: "Buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo." That is apparently an antanaclasic, another example of which is this Latin sentence: "Malo malo malo malo," which apparently means (I don't think Forsyth is joking about this), "I would rather be in an apple tree than be a bad boy i...more
Feb 21, 2013
Zara
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Anyone interested in language
Shelves:
modern,
non-fiction
This is an amazing book that starts from the word 'book' and takes you all through the English language, through the 'hidden connections'. It is fascinating, and something you will turn to again and again. After reading it I almost thought differently about language. It becomes an art form rather than just a tool. 'The Etymologicon' will make you laugh, wonder in puzzlement and go 'aha!' when a particularly curious word origin is revealed, or a phrase unraveled. I loved it!
N.B. Mark Forsyth also...more
N.B. Mark Forsyth also...more
Hmm..... I thought the subject matter was really interesting and I thought his style of writing was engaging, but it had a bit of the stream of consciousness to it- it wasn't so much a stroll through the origins of words as a brisk jog, and I'm afraid I suffered from fact fatigue at some points along the way. Also, most of the time it was engaging and funny, but occasionally this strayed too close to glibness for me. Having said that most of what I earned was really interesting, and and I'm sure...more
Do you know why...
...a mortgage is literally a death pledge? ...why guns have girls' names? ...why salt is related to soldier?
You're about to find out...
The Etymologicon (e-t?-'ma-la-ji-kan) is:
*Witty (wi-te\): Full of clever humor*Erudite (er-?-dit): Showing knowledge*Ribald (ri-b?ld): Crude, offensive
"The Etymologicon "is a completely unauthorized guide to the strange underpinnings of the English language. It explains: how you get from "gruntled" to "disgruntled"; why you are absolutely right...more
...a mortgage is literally a death pledge? ...why guns have girls' names? ...why salt is related to soldier?
You're about to find out...
The Etymologicon (e-t?-'ma-la-ji-kan) is:
*Witty (wi-te\): Full of clever humor*Erudite (er-?-dit): Showing knowledge*Ribald (ri-b?ld): Crude, offensive
"The Etymologicon "is a completely unauthorized guide to the strange underpinnings of the English language. It explains: how you get from "gruntled" to "disgruntled"; why you are absolutely right...more
1 like · like · see review
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Mark Forsyth is a writer, journalist and blogger. Every job he’s ever had, whether as a ghost-writer or proof-reader or copy-writer, has been to do with words. He started The Inky Fool blog in 2009 and now writes a post almost every day. The blog has received worldwide attention and enjoys an average of 4,000 hits per week.
Mr. Forsyth currently resides in London.
More about Mark Forsyth...
Mr. Forsyth currently resides in London.
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“Curiosity may have killed the cat, but it was the sausage-maker who disposed of the body.”
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“Poetry is much more important than the truth, and, if you don't believe that, try using the two methods to get laid.”
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It's ok Caitlin, I didn't tell you all of it. I'll let you borrow my Kindle sometime s...more
Nov 10, 2011 04:11pm
Nov 10, 2011 04:23pm