Quid Pro Quo: What the Romans Really Gave the English Language

by Peter V. Jones

In this original and entertaining book, Peter Jones takes the reader on a fascinating journey along the highways and byways of Roman life and culture, telling the amazing stories behind the ancient roots of the English language.

From germs and bullets to custard and tinsel, Quid Pro Quo traces the often surprising origins of hundreds of everyday words and reveals the important role Latin has played in the creation of our vast English vocabulary.

Taking in every aspect of the ancient world, including science, medicine, religion, military matters, politics, literature and everyday life, Jones shows just how much English owes to the ancient Romans, and why we really should all still be learning Latin.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Linguistics, Language

352 pages, Hardcover

First published October 6, 2016

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Peter Jones (sometimes credited as Peter V. Jones) is a former lecturer in Classics at the University of Newcastle Upon Tyne, a writer and journalist. Jones has regularly written on Classics for major newspapers, and was awarded the MBE in 1983. He is a Cambridge graduate.

Jones' popular work has been focused on introducing new generations to Ancient Rome and Greece, from newspaper columns to crossword collections, popular non-fiction, and charitable organisations devoted to helping keep Classics subjects in schools.

Reviews

[Abani · Rating 5 out of 5]

I personally liked this book as it reminded me of those days when I used to read dictionaries. But this was even more fun with the historical anecdotes and the author’s witty remarks. This made me look at English in a different light and learning how it developed over the centuries was intriguing. How some words were completely different from what they used to be before, to how a lot of factors contributed to make them what they’re called today; this just kept me asking for more eccentric stories.

I want to learn Latin even more now.

[Paul Cloutier · Rating 3 out of 5]

Super fun concept and lots of great insights but kind of more of a dictionary/encyclopedia. It’s formatted by word and feels like it could have had a little more narrative flow. But still learned a lot of interesting roots of words and how English got this way.

[Bonnie_blu · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book could have been very dry and a slog to get through, but it is just the opposite. Jones is a master at making the subject fascinating and a fun read. Even though I have studied Latin, I thoroughly enjoyed the book. Jones writes in a light, quick, and informative style that makes the book a pleasure to read. It's not necessary to know any Latin or Greek to benefit from reading it. Since 75% of words in English come from Latin (with some from Greek though Latin), knowing the origin of words helps us to understand and use the language better. A fun read!

[sophie · Rating 5 out of 5]

oh man knowing the etymology of the word dildo is going to make me so popular at parties

[Kori · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ranges from incredibly interesting to incredibly hard to stay conscious

[Amanda Witt · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well laid out book in terms of subject matter and using examples of original Latin and Greek to explain word and language origins.

[Viktoria Csaszar · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book first called out to me from the shelves of a bookstore in Rome. I resisted. Then almost a year later, I resisted again in Rome, thinking that even if it sounded intriguing, I would never actually read it. Oh, how stupid I was for thinking that. Nearly 2 years after first spotting it, I finally bought it at the British Museum in London (how ironic). It turned out to be a brilliant read; I enjoyed it thoroughly. It also helped me better understand my native Uralic language. Someone wrote it that they had used to read the dictionary for fun as a child, and this book reminded them of that. I couldn’t agree more. If this sounds boring to you, then this book probably isn’t for you. But if you were also a dictionary-reading child, then don’t waste 2 years of your life and go read this right now.

[Rex Brampton · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was so looking forward to this when I read the title and the blurb. Sadly it didn't live up to expectations. After a few chapters it was a bit like reading the dictionary, but not quite as well organised. Footnotes appeared at random and seemed to have little to do with the text they were attached to. As topics recurred in the various sections it became a bit repetitive. The jokes were mildly amusing, and gave the impression that they've gone down very well in classrooms for many years. Mr Jones is obviously very well read, but I found this format too disjointed and a chore to plough on to the end.

[Louise Bray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quid Pro Quo is a non-fiction book about the sheer number of ancient Latin and Greek words that have been adopted into the English language of today, while also providing a pretty thorough overview of ancient Roman history and culture.

Personally I find the history of language fascinating, so this was very much up my street, and I enjoyed learning all the historical anecdotes as well. I think the structure of the book felt a bit clunky at times, with many, many subheadings in each chapter - I feel like some of them could have been combined to make the writing flow a bit better. But otherwise a great book.

[Justine Olawsky · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was a bit of a slog. Partially because I already know a lot of the Latin words Dr. Jones unpacks and partially because some of the categories were pretty boring (e.g., botany; yes, botany).

However, little patches of fun throughout. For example: In quoting from a work of the Hippocratics on how to treat hemorrhoids, Jones includes "Your assistants must hold the man down by his head and arms while he is being cauterized so he stays still, but otherwise, let him scream during the process, since that makes the anus stick out more." To which Jones dryly replies, "I bet it does."

[Susannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this, it is an exploration of what Latin gave the English language organised by themes including botany, medicine, war, arts and architecture etc. it explains the etymology of various words and through this you also learn about the culture of Ancient Rome and daily life.

It does lack a narrative so you are constantly assailed by facts which can be a bit overwhelming and means it is difficult to read a lot in one go, but I did learn lots about Latin and English.

[Cilla · Rating 3 out of 5]

As someone who studied both Latin and ancient Greek in university, this book was rather fun. It made me want to dive back into the world of ancient languages and linguistics in general. If you like history or have a fascination with the origins of certain words, this book is for you.

[Michael Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

What do i think, Hmmmmm. Well not a bad read (could have had more pictures, peter) you get a better sence of where the English Language got screwed up, should'a kept with Latin.

[Marius Søvik · Rating 3 out of 5]

Noen kapitler meget interessante, andre ikke

[Alfred Comprehension Cunnington · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like words, this book is for YOU. Weeeny weeeedy luigiii baby!
Who knew that vanilla came from vaginas AND beaver butt glands, not me 🤓

[Paige · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must read for anyone with even a remote interest in etymology or in the Romans. Peter Jones is a master at writing conversationally, and his enthusiasm and mannerisms subtly trick the reader into learning and absorbing all of the information placed in front of them.

[LY N · Rating 4 out of 5]

comprehensive! I think I need more historical background to gain the most from it!