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What's In a Word?: Fascinating Stories of More Than 350 Everyday Words and Phrases
Once upon a time… Tying the knot actually involved tying a knot-not saying vows. Meanwhile, a thinking cap wasn’t just a cute idea for schoolchildren, but an actual hat worn by scholars in the Middle Ages. Oh, and when you make no bones about something, you should consider yourself lucky you aren’t choking on a chicken foot. What’s in a Word? Answers the question it poses, more than three hundred times over. You’ll learn which side of the bed is the wrong side, and why the word “nickname” is simply the product of slurred speech. Webb Garrison’s etymological journey through the origins of words and phrases, both common and obscure, is sure to fascinate wordsmiths of every stripe.
256 pages, Paperback
First published June 12, 2000
3 people are currently reading
65 people want to read
About the author
Webb B. Garrison
79 books14 followersWebb Garrison, formerly associate dean of Emory University and president of McKendree College, wrote more than 55 books. Before his death in 2000, Garrison lived in Lake Junaluska, North Carolina.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
February 24, 2023
This isn't a good etymology book because of the ramdomness of the selection. I'm also baffled on why plenty of the stuff was even discussed... I mean some of the phrases were already obscure when this book was published. Maybe it's a regional thing? I dunno and I don't wanna think about it too much. Bought this book for less than a dollar so I guess I got what I paid for LOL ? Anyways there were a few entries here that were just wonderful so I'm not giving this a 1.
November 4, 2011
While studying Spanish in college, I became interested in the little idiomatic phrases (actually insults) that don't really translate into English. Even after years of classes, they're really all I can remember. If I get lost sometime in a Spanish-speaking country, all I could do is just insult the people trying to help me. It would be a disaster.
That's why when I heard about the book. What's in a Word?, I was pretty excited. Unfortunately it didn't take long for my excitement to deflate.
What's in a Word? is a collection of short entries explaining the origins of words or phrases you hear in everyday speech. If you share my fascination with the origin of those odd phrases, this book might be for you more than it was for me.
It isn't so much that the book isn't well written. I found the individual stories for each entry to be sly, witty, and occasionally rather clever. It's just that many of the "fascinating stories" are kind of mundane (In the Groove), obscure (Best Bib and Tucker) or out-of-date (Floppies). An updated version of the first chapter in a revised edition (as opposed to this reprint) would go a long way to making the book a better read. For now, though, its short entries means it's the kind of book you'll want to keep in the bathroom for quick reads.
Disclosure of Material Connection:
I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their [...] book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC's "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
That's why when I heard about the book. What's in a Word?, I was pretty excited. Unfortunately it didn't take long for my excitement to deflate.
What's in a Word? is a collection of short entries explaining the origins of words or phrases you hear in everyday speech. If you share my fascination with the origin of those odd phrases, this book might be for you more than it was for me.
It isn't so much that the book isn't well written. I found the individual stories for each entry to be sly, witty, and occasionally rather clever. It's just that many of the "fascinating stories" are kind of mundane (In the Groove), obscure (Best Bib and Tucker) or out-of-date (Floppies). An updated version of the first chapter in a revised edition (as opposed to this reprint) would go a long way to making the book a better read. For now, though, its short entries means it's the kind of book you'll want to keep in the bathroom for quick reads.
Disclosure of Material Connection:
I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their [...] book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC's "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
September 18, 2023
This was an interesting selection of word origins sorted by subject. It was usually pretty informative. The only drawback for me was the simple explanations. They lacked a certain writing skill to make them more interesting to read. I had heard some of them before, but I did learn quite a bit. Word etymology has always been an intriguing subject for me. I would have loved to have had some more explanations here.
March 22, 2010
Have you ever wondered where the word “worsted” came from? This book has the answer to that question and a whole lot more words that are used in everyday life that we all probably don’t even give another thought.
“What’s in a Word” provides snippets of information on the origin of 350 words and phrases organized by chapters like “Household”, “Growing Things”, “Common Speech” and “Males and Females”, to name a few. This is a great coffee table book and is the companion to Webb Garrison’s “Why You Say It”. (I would love to read this book, too.)
So what did I think of it? I loved it. It was fascinating to learn the origin of the different words that Mr. Garrison had chosen for the book. Since the chapter were set up with no real rhyme or reason, I found myself skipping through the chapters and reading about the words and phrases that interested me the most. I really liked that he kept the word explanations short and sweet. It made reading the various word explanation more interesting and less like overkill.
Oh and far as the words “worsted”, here’s the excerpt direct from the book: “Worsted perpetuates Worstead, a town in Norfolk (Great Britain) that was elevated in importance by King Edward III. Eager to improve the quality of English woolens, the monarch brought over a group of Flemish weavers in the fourteenth century. He settled them in Worstead and they produced cloth of such high quality that it gained international fame.”
“What’s in a Word” provides snippets of information on the origin of 350 words and phrases organized by chapters like “Household”, “Growing Things”, “Common Speech” and “Males and Females”, to name a few. This is a great coffee table book and is the companion to Webb Garrison’s “Why You Say It”. (I would love to read this book, too.)
So what did I think of it? I loved it. It was fascinating to learn the origin of the different words that Mr. Garrison had chosen for the book. Since the chapter were set up with no real rhyme or reason, I found myself skipping through the chapters and reading about the words and phrases that interested me the most. I really liked that he kept the word explanations short and sweet. It made reading the various word explanation more interesting and less like overkill.
Oh and far as the words “worsted”, here’s the excerpt direct from the book: “Worsted perpetuates Worstead, a town in Norfolk (Great Britain) that was elevated in importance by King Edward III. Eager to improve the quality of English woolens, the monarch brought over a group of Flemish weavers in the fourteenth century. He settled them in Worstead and they produced cloth of such high quality that it gained international fame.”
October 21, 2010
Etymology is cool, no matter what any of you have to say about it. I dig finding out the origin of words and phrases because it illustrates the migration of language and culture from one group to another. It reminds, too, of how complex and wonderful the English language is.
Garrison’s What’s In A Word? is an informative, educational trip through the origins of three hundred fifty words and phrases. Did you know the saxophone takes its name from its inventor, Joseph Sax? Or that the word “monkey” has it’s root in the word monicchia, Italian for a prattling old woman? I confess, this kind of thing fascinates me.
I did find that, in many cases, Garrison’s usages of a phrase was different from my understanding of it, or that I had never heard the phrase. This didn’t distract from my enjoyment of this collection but I will say those sections were a bit anticlimactic. Still, you can just go on to the next one and marvel at the progression of the spoken word.
Good fun!
Garrison’s What’s In A Word? is an informative, educational trip through the origins of three hundred fifty words and phrases. Did you know the saxophone takes its name from its inventor, Joseph Sax? Or that the word “monkey” has it’s root in the word monicchia, Italian for a prattling old woman? I confess, this kind of thing fascinates me.
I did find that, in many cases, Garrison’s usages of a phrase was different from my understanding of it, or that I had never heard the phrase. This didn’t distract from my enjoyment of this collection but I will say those sections were a bit anticlimactic. Still, you can just go on to the next one and marvel at the progression of the spoken word.
Good fun!
April 27, 2010
This is actually one of my favorite books right now! It’s crazy how our language and way of saying things has changed so much over the years. For example: Lingerie back in day was just a type of linen that was made for dresses but women liked the feel of it on their skin, thus now it became attached to intimate wear! It’s honestly insightful and very interesting! The explanations are short and to the point, which is why it kept me so interested! If you like books about the meaning of things or just some cool facts and stuff, then you would def enjoy this book! I give it 5 out of 5 paws!
December 21, 2014
This was a good book to put you to sleep. I don't mean this in a derogatory way, either. I have always had an interest in English words and where they come from.
A whole lot of the words featured have histories you would expect. Then there comes a gem and you think, "I would have never thought that"!
I kept this book by my bedside and enjoyed several pages every night for a month. I am passing along to my grandson who also enjoys looking up obscure words.
You can tell this author did a lot of research and I, for one, appreciate his product. Thanks.
A whole lot of the words featured have histories you would expect. Then there comes a gem and you think, "I would have never thought that"!
I kept this book by my bedside and enjoyed several pages every night for a month. I am passing along to my grandson who also enjoys looking up obscure words.
You can tell this author did a lot of research and I, for one, appreciate his product. Thanks.
April 5, 2016
A white bread approach to word meanings. More of a whole-wheat person myself.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews