The Etymologicon: A Circular Stroll Through the Hidden Connections of the English Language

by Mark Forsyth

Taxi cab = Taximeter cabriolet Fan = Fanatic Bus = Voiture omnibus Wilco = Will comply Van = Caravan Sleuth = Sleuthhound (a kind of sniffer dog) Butch = Butcher Cute = Acute Sperm whale = Spermaceti whale Film buff = Buffalo

Buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo. Confused? The grammar is easier if you compare it to this version: Buffalo bison [whom] Buffalo bison bully [then] bully Buffalo bison. It’s the longest grammatically correct sentence in the English language that uses only one word. Word buffs love it.

The Welch are said to be so remarkably fond of cheese, that in cases of difficulty their midwives apply a piece of toasted cheese to the janua vita [gates of life] to attract and entice the young Taffy, who on smelling it makes most vigorous efforts to come forth.

Minor had a lot of time on his hands, and also the advantage of being criminally insane, which is always a plus in lexicography.