Word Mysteries & Histories: From Quiche to Humble Pie

by American Heritage Publishing Company

Describes the meanings of hundreds of words and phrases, and traces the history of these items back to their origins

Genres: Reference, Nonfiction, Language

308 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1986

Reviews

[Beth · Rating 1 out of 5]

I’m sorry but I just couldn’t get through this book. I love to learn about the origins of words but this book is laid out like a dictionary. The facts given are flat and boring. I feel there had to be a better layout for this book. What looked interesting became boring very quickly. I gave it several days but it just didn’t hold my interest.

[Michael Oaks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full of tasty morsels of etymology, I was entertained and edified at the same time.

[Velma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clever collection of amusing etymologies accompanied by Barry Moser's lovely woodcuts: what more could a word nerd want?

[Bmankiewicz]

Inscribed from Sarah 1989. Intact. Pages yellowed. Faded writing of r. Claiborne on the spine. Proposes returning it to Sarah.