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In a Word: 750 Words and Their Fascinating Stories and Origins
What's in a word? A lot, as IN A WORD tells us! Words travel through time and evolve—-taking on new characteristics, new meanings, and providing fascinating tales of people, places, and times long ago. Each entry of IN A WORD tells its tale in a witty short-story style, often accompanied by fun illustrations.
Though several of the entries in the book provide the kind of linguistic details found in the finest dictionaries, IN A WORD's lively, anecdotal style makes it more entertaining than a traditional reference book. It's a perfect addition to any family home, or as a gift.
The book also comes with a language chart and index. With an introduction by a linguistics scholar.
Though several of the entries in the book provide the kind of linguistic details found in the finest dictionaries, IN A WORD's lively, anecdotal style makes it more entertaining than a traditional reference book. It's a perfect addition to any family home, or as a gift.
The book also comes with a language chart and index. With an introduction by a linguistics scholar.
- GenresNonfictionReference
250 pages, Hardcover
First published December 26, 2003
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
February 2, 2020
3½ stars. Fun, informative, irrelevant. Every dentist out there should have a copy in the waiting room so that one may kill time constructively but never feel that the reading was stopped at a crucial point.
If you want to know the meaning a word, go to a regular dictionary; if you want to know the origin of a word, get an etymological dictionary. But if you just want some gossip and stories about words, this is a good casual read.
If you want to know the meaning a word, go to a regular dictionary; if you want to know the origin of a word, get an etymological dictionary. But if you just want some gossip and stories about words, this is a good casual read.
October 19, 2022
An absolutely delightful compendium of (mainly English) words and their roots, accompanied by quirky illustrations that make language come to life! The short descriptions often had me grinning or laughing out loud, and attempting to pronounce archaic Latin words in my head. Such fun!
January 14, 2013
When i first started reading it, i thought i was somehow mistaken and this is actually children's book.But reading further, i was less convinced.
I learned so many interesting words and expressions, learned parts of Greek and Roman mythology and finally saw what many familiar expressions actually meant.
Great book, although the political and sports section was not really my thing.
Here are my favourite ones:
Tantalize - the ancient greeks believed that Zeus punished any god or super-human who abuse his own powers or the powers of his fellow deities.Tantalus was one such.
Zeus confined him to a pool of cool, refreshing water, surrounded by fruit trees.Whenever he went to drink the water, it receded.Whenever he reached for the luscious fruits hanging above his head, they, too, moved beyond his reach.Thus Tantalus gave his name to "tantalize", meaning "to tease" by not allowing someone to have what he/she wants even though it is readily available.
Janus-faced - In Roman mythology, Janus was the god of beginnings and endings and of doorways.In ancient Rome, there was a temple dedicated to Janus.The doors were kept open in time of war to symbolize the help he gave.They were closed in peacetime.In art, Janus was always pictured with two heads - one facing forward to the future, the other facing backward to the past. "January" traces its roots to the name of this god, since January is the month that looks forward to the new year, but with memories of what has passed.
Red-letter day - The practice of using the color red to mark special holidays, festivals and religious days on calendars began during the Renaissance.Since these times were joyful occasions, the expression "a red-letter-day" came to mean " a memorable or joyous occasion".
That one particularly struck me.I never knew something so simple and barely noticeable was such an ancient thing!
I learned so many interesting words and expressions, learned parts of Greek and Roman mythology and finally saw what many familiar expressions actually meant.
Great book, although the political and sports section was not really my thing.
Here are my favourite ones:
Tantalize - the ancient greeks believed that Zeus punished any god or super-human who abuse his own powers or the powers of his fellow deities.Tantalus was one such.
Zeus confined him to a pool of cool, refreshing water, surrounded by fruit trees.Whenever he went to drink the water, it receded.Whenever he reached for the luscious fruits hanging above his head, they, too, moved beyond his reach.Thus Tantalus gave his name to "tantalize", meaning "to tease" by not allowing someone to have what he/she wants even though it is readily available.
Janus-faced - In Roman mythology, Janus was the god of beginnings and endings and of doorways.In ancient Rome, there was a temple dedicated to Janus.The doors were kept open in time of war to symbolize the help he gave.They were closed in peacetime.In art, Janus was always pictured with two heads - one facing forward to the future, the other facing backward to the past. "January" traces its roots to the name of this god, since January is the month that looks forward to the new year, but with memories of what has passed.
Red-letter day - The practice of using the color red to mark special holidays, festivals and religious days on calendars began during the Renaissance.Since these times were joyful occasions, the expression "a red-letter-day" came to mean " a memorable or joyous occasion".
That one particularly struck me.I never knew something so simple and barely noticeable was such an ancient thing!
February 15, 2015
English etymology very interestingly revealed. I wish it could have some more interesting words. Not all words are fascinating but many definitely are.
April 17, 2019
A cleanly-written, informative, and very entertaining book. Wonderful illustrations too.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews