Word Origins: An Exploration and History of Words and Language

by Wilfred Funk

From a highly respected name in reference literature, an easy-to-access, dependable sourcebook on the origin and development of thousands of words, each word has been thoroughly checked by ranking linguists and the information is presented in a manner as entertaining as fiction, An Outlet bestseller in previous editions. 432 pages. 6 X 9.

Genres: Reference, Language, Nonfiction, Linguistics, History

432 pages, Hardcover

First published August 11, 1992

Reviews

[Travis · Rating 5 out of 5]

i have an out-of-print version of this same book but i promise you'll learn more etymologies here then you did in either high school OR college!

[Georgene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although originally published in 1950, this book is AMAZING! Throughout this book, the history of the English language is dissected to discover where our words have come from; that is, what their history is.

There are many, many words that come from Latin, but often via Old French or Germanic pathways. Given that England was conquered by many Germanic tribes before 1066, many English words come directly from those various Germanic languages. Then because of the conquest of England by the French-speaking Normans (who were Germanic or Scandinavian in origins themselves), many more words from Old French came into our language.

I find the study of English etymology fascinating. The book is heavy going at times and sometimes anachronistic. Things have changed a bit since 1950, even to our use of common words.

Well worth reading.

[ZaBeth Marsh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just got this book today to enjoy learning about words and language.

[Candace · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun read for nerds curious about our language history.