This reference work on the history, origin, and current. Hendrickson admits that some origins presented are mere theories. We have been irritated into saying more than we might have otherwise by its chaotic. In the harry potter series, avada kedavra functions as a killing curse, and j. Etymology word origins interesting phrase histories. Asked in word and phrase origins what is the origin of the phrase a good time was had by all. There are several good books that give phrase and word origins.
This is a handy book which contains hardtofind etymologies of words and, especially, phrases. Since theyre being modern, they certainly havent given the main definition for the word sack which is not just a regional term for. The facts on file encyclopedia of word and phrase origins book. The dictionary includes slangso you will pick up some useful numbers like adams off ox and back to blighty, but be told that kerouac had the consummate bad taste to invent an origin for beatnik. Scholars who study the history of word origins are known as ethnologists. New book reveals the odd origins of our most popular phrases. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Morris dictionary of word and phrase origins william. Seemingly designed for those with laserfocused attention or plenty of time on their hands, the facts on file encyclopedia of word and phrase. Meaning sum of criminal charges is from 1926, hence slang phrase throw the book at 1932. Encyclopedia of word and phrase origins, revised and expanded edition. Oxford dictionary of word origins oxford reference.
Now in an updated and expanded fourth edition, the facts on file encyclopedia of word and phrase origins is a massive reference jampacked with definitions and origins of more than 15,000 words and expressions. The site has become a favorite resource of teachers of reading, spelling, and english as a second language. The price is amazing and the words inside are intriguing. Unfortunately it has gone missing and i bought this book hoping it would be an equally fun book. First published in 1997 under the title the facts on file encyclopedia of word and phrase origins, revised and expanded edition. This book is quite detailed but dry like the sahara desert.
The first edition of the morris dictionary of word and phrase origins detailed the fascinating and little known stories behind thousands of words and phrases that we use every day. The facts on file encyclopedia of word and phrase origins facts on file writers library robert. This verb, which is echoic of the sound of shoes slapping on the ground, goes back at least to the 1930s, when one fin. The phrase then slipped into society to mean anyone who was trying to do something without first checking that everything was in order for the project. Morris dictionary of word and phrase origins 0001594862869. This is the list, some 400 word and phrase origins. Morris dictionary of word and phrase origins by william morris. As the preface states, no word or phrase has been eliminated because it might offend someones sensibilities. William safire called the first edition of word and phrase origins, a feast for phrase detectives. Jun 26, 2018 the english language is rich with slang, and the way some of it came to be adopted into common parlance makes it all the more interesting. There are so many expressions that are explained in the book as well as the words themselves. Why do we say a person is a nerd or a wally or a twerp.
This guide is designed for anyone who is looking for the origin of words andor phrases, also called etymology these terms will be used interchangeably in this pathfinder. Etymology books dictionary of word and phrase origins dictionary of word and phrase origins by william morris and mary morris editors. The facts on file encyclopedia of word and phrase origins writers. Simply choose a letter to start exploring, or choose one of the categories below. Facts on file encyclopedia of word and phrase origins. The facts on file encyclopedia of word and phrase origins facts. Its purpose is to shed some light on the meaning of some common expressions especially hang over words from colonialism and other racial and class expressions. The facts on file encyclopedia of word and phrase origins revised and expanded edition. The fascinating origins of these 30 common slang terms best.
A good time was had by all was the title of a book of poems by a miss stevie smith in 1937. Moreover, the lack of a pronunciation guide and the volumes anecdotal approach undermine its academic value. Seemingly designed for those with laserfocused attention or plenty of time on their hands, the facts on file encyclopedia of word and phrase origins provides days of browsing for etymophiles. Anyone interested in the english language will be fascinated by and then obsessed with this dictionary that reads like an erudite gossip column for the city of words.
You can use this list to learn about their meaning and origin. The best books on word, phrase and custom origins are you looking for the best books and resources for word origins etymology, expressions and cultural customs. The encyclopedia of word and phrase origins fun with words. The henry holt encyclopedia of word and phrase origins. It is professional enough to satisfy academic standards, but accessible enough to be used by anyone. What is the origin of the phrase its raining cats and. Dictionary of word and phrase origins on apple books. Etymology, the study of word origins, derives from the philosophical tradition which is a combination of literary studies, history and linguistics. Book of life the roll of those chosen for eternal life is from mid14c. In this new edition, william and mary morris update and expand their classic work to keep pace with our ever changing language. Reviewed in the united states on december 27, 2004. Take our word for it etymology book store strictly etymology.
The word detective this is the online version of the column of the same name. This book contains a mediumsized selection of words, but each word is laboriously discussed and researched. Etymology of phrases the origins and histories of idioms, sadinys, phrases, and other expressions are often even more fascinating than the etymologies of the individual words themselves. A dictionary of 700 entries written in a popular, nontechnical style, explaining the origin and background of etymologicallyinteresting words, including some eponyms, toponyms, phrases, quotations and misquotations from the bible and shakespeare. Facts on file encyclopedia of word and phrase origins facts on file library of language and literature by hendrickson, robert and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. The facts on file encyclopedia of word and phrase origins by robert hendrickson facts on file. Morris seem to be newspaper people and this is roughly comparable to the first volume which appeared in 1962. Dictionary of word and phrase origins fun with words. This is another word book, arranged alphabetically, containing more than 3,000 stories behind everyday words and expressions. To book it, which has been recorded since the 1970s, is an abbreviation of the older bookity book, to run fast, to move quickly. What our everyday sayings and idioms figuratively mean, unlocks the surprising origins of some of our most popular phrases. The online etymology dictionary is the internets goto source for quick and reliable accounts of the origin and history of english words, phrases, and idioms. List of books and articles about word origins online.
It dates back to the time of the classical greeks, who were interested in the development of alphabetic writing. Here is a selection of wellknown expressions and how they came into being. The most comprehensive singlevolume reference of its kind, the facts on file encyclopedia of word and phrase origins, fourth edition has been completely updated and expanded and now contains definitions and origins of more than 15,000 words and expressions. A book of phrase origins was quoted some time ago in the sydney morning herald as a text that was is still quite recently given to new officers of the britsh police force. This book explores the intriguing origins and development of about 800 words and expressions in english. The phrase computer bug has been around for a long time, but was it created due to an incident involving a real insect. The story of the development of english provides an endless source of fascination not only for native speakers but also for students of english as a foreign or second language. These questions are rarely answered by conventional dictionaries, but this book takes a wideranging approach. Such compilations will always be fascinating to the wordconscious who after even a perfunctory perusal will know that no selfrespecting astronaut has ever or will ever utter ao. I was somewhat disappointed due to the several omissions and the seemingly unnecessary inclusion of other words and phrases. We have a list full of hundreds of phrases and sayings. To book it, which has been recorded since the 1970s, is an abbreviation of the older bookitybook, to run fast, to move quickly. The words and phrases are selected because their origins are inherently interesting or because some bit of folklore, sometimes true and sometimes false, is associated with the origin. Anyone interested in the english language will be fascinated by and then obsessed with this dictionary that reads like an erudite gossip column.
It also includes a book list of dictionaries, thesauri, and word phrase and origin books. Today, it simply means anyone who lives comfortably, no matter what their address may be. This collection is the first original book based on the hugely popular mavens word of. On this page youll find our list of recommended books. A bibliography of etymology sources of english words from latin and greek word origins. What is the origin of the phrase book it, as in move. Their origins and meanings reprint by ewart, neil isbn. Jul 25, 2001 a book of phrase origins was quoted some time ago in the sydney morning herald as a text that was is still quite recently given to new officers of the britsh police force. The facts on file encyclopedia of word and phrase origins. This is an updated encyclopedia that explores the origins of thousands of words and phrases.
Are you looking for the best books and resources for word origins etymology, expressions and cultural customs. The phrase originally meant swift and brutal murder, and was first used in macbeth. It has every expression youve ever heard of and then some. The phrase means to show no emotion in times of great emotional distress, or to have a lot of selfcontrol. Word origins was the first computer bug a real insect. 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. This edition was especially created in 1998 for quality paperback book club by arrangement with facts on file, inc. Etymology books the encyclopedia of word and phrase origins the encyclopedia of word and phrase origins. The phrase appeared in a 1902 novel called, its up to you where a prosperous character in the book was said to easily walk up and down easy street. Qpb encyclopedia of word and phrase origins 9780965379458 by hendrickson, robert and a great selection of similar new, used and collectible books available now at. Here is the book that mavens fans have been asking for. The book draws on oxfords unrivalled dictionary research programme and language monitoring, and relates the fascinating stories behind many of our most curious terms. Even the most dedicated amateur etymologist will be shocked at the origins of these popular slang terms.
Encyclopedia is essential to any english and word enthusiast as well as writer. Arranged in alphabetical order for handy reference, this book contains more than 3000 everyday words and expressions. The morrises relied quite a bit on input from the readers of their newspaper column for help with words and phrases of unknown origin. Words, phrases or sayings origins, meanings by brownielocks. Macduff utters the words on hearing of the death of his wife and children. Nigel rees why do we say a person is the spitting image of someone else, or take a rain check. Also check out our spark files for loads of interesting facts on word, phrase and custom origins.
After reading about this book and how it was better than many of its competitors, i purchased a copy. Buy a cheap copy of the facts on file encyclopedia of word. Online etymology dictionary origin, history and meaning. Many years ago i bought a wonderful book on the origins of words and it was a fascinating and fun read.
An updated and expanded edition, the facts on file encyclopedia of word and phrase origins, third edition contains definitions and origins of more than 12,500 words. This is like an extra dictionary, only more in depth. Knowing the origin of words and phrases will enlighten you to why its used, how its used, and how its changed over time. Fans of the harry potter series would perhaps be familiar with this phrase, as a similar spell, avada kedavra is featured in the books. Morris dictionary of word and phrase origins william morris. New trendscrack, glitch, greenmail, harrier attack. To do something by the book according to the rules is from 1590s. Yet another theory for the origins of the word abracadabra is the aramaic phrase avra kadavra.
There are entries for words derived from other languages, coined words, words from the names of people and places, and more. Internet archive contributor internet archive language english. Such compilations will always be fascinating to the word conscious who after even a perfunctory perusal will know that no selfrespecting astronaut has ever or will ever utter ao. Jul 16, 2012 it also includes a book list of dictionaries, thesauri, and word phrase and origin books. Word and phrase origins this guide is designed for anyone who is looking for the origin of words and or phrases, also called etymology these terms will be used interchangeably in this pathfinder.