Port Out, Starboard Home: and other language myths

by Michael Quinion

Can it really be true that 'golf' stands for 'Gentlemen Only Ladies Forbidden'? Or that 'rule of thumb' comes from an archaic legal principle that a man may chastise his wife, but only with a rod no thicker than his thumb? These and hundreds of other stories are commonly told and retold whenever people meet. They grow up in part because expressions are often genuinely mysterious. Why, for example, are satisfying meals 'square' rather than any other shape? And how did anyone ever come up with the idea that if you're competent at something you can 'cut the mustard'? Michael Quinion here retells many of the more bizarre tales, and explains their real origins where they're known. This is a fascinating treasure-trove of fiction and fact for anyone interested in language.

Genres: Nonfiction, Language, Reference, Humor, Words, Linguistics

Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

Reviews

[Melindam · Rating 4 out of 5]

The intriguing difference between etymology and etymythology delightfully explained.

[Sarah Dorothea · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 out of 5 stars! A really interesting book especially if you’re intersted in language. 😍 It’s quite fun to read up on all these expressions. 👌🏻

[Alex · Rating 2 out of 5]

To start with I'd like to point out that really wanted to like this book. The title captured my attention instantly - this it! I'll now have access to the top secret information on words and idioms that left me bemused and discombobulated. I cannot possibly tell you how many times I heard the wise pub folk share stores of port out, starboard home and fornicate under kings consent, just to name a few. And I always doubted the authenticity of these explanations based on simple logic that medieval blokes requiring regal say-so to ravish their wench would not necessarily know how to write let alone messing around with the language for long enough to create the acronym phenomenon. Al Murray as his alter ego Pub Landlord once said "There two things Brits love: being drunk and being right. And this is why pub quizzes are popular." And boy was I anticipating sweet joy of being right about the True origin of words - in your face, Pub Elders! Right?... Wrong!

With the exception of very few phrases such as cater-cornered (deriving from Quatre and thus pronounces Katr) and the long suffering Aluminium aka Aluminum, this book fails to live up to the expectations. This work's two major flaws are:
1. It tries to be funny and informative in easy bite-size portions, but ends up with shortcomings on both accounts. I guess it's a difficult balance to strike, but I would not be buying tickets for Michael Quinon's Etymology: Fun with Words if it ever were to materialise.
2. It lacks completeness. Most entries would tease you with a few faux stories about the birth of a particular word to only disappoint you with the conclusions that go along the lines of "but we don't know this with certainty", "there is no written evidence confirming that" and "we guess we'll never know...huh?"- well, bummer! To draw a parallel which offers you a better insight into what it felt like to read each article expecting enlightening culmination and being denied well deserved closure, try to remember your first dabbling in things amorous: you'd touch each other numb, excite yourself silly and it will only end with nothing happening "because mum's next door" and you'll be sore and feel cheated.

By all means read Port Out. It's not by any stretch a nasty read! Just don't expect to find an explanation for your favourite phrase and you'll be fine. It just didn't quite "cut the mustard" for me - that's all.

[Eustacia Tan · Rating 5 out of 5]

For the entire time I borrowed this book, I thought the title was "Posh", which was weird, but then again, it is one of the entries. And then I tried to search for the book on Goodreads....

Port Out, Starboard Home is a mini-encyclopedia about various English words and phrases (the fancy term for this is called etymology). It's arranged in alphabetical order, and there are cross-references for related words. In each entry, the author talks about the different folk etymologies there are and which is the true origin (if there's any).

I found this book to be really interesting. I haven't heard of most of these folk etymologies, so they were all new to me. I haven't really considered the origins of words before, and as I read, I was thinking, we should have a competition to see who can make up the most plausible story for a certain word (that we can draw at random) and see who can come closest to the truth. [Disclaimer: I was inspired by the book No More Naughty, where to learn the meaning of words, the children were asked to make up their own definitions first and vote for the most plausible sounding one.]

If you're wondering about the origins of some of your favourite words (or at least, some theories about the origins of the word), you should give this book a go. It's a light-hearted and readable book. And since it's educational, that's got to have some bonus points.

This review was first posted at Inside the mind of a Bibliophile

[Jennifer (JC-S) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have two shelves full of books about the English language. Each is different, each has its own strengths, weaknesses and quirks. Michael Quinion’s book is one of those to which I turn if I’m looking for some insight into common language myths.

The issue of accuracy and authenticity is one I’ll leave for the experts. I don’t need to be as definitive as they would prefer to be. For me, words are tools to be enjoyed, considered and used.

There is, of course, one shattered myth that has caused me personal discomfort. That relates to the origin of CABAL (cabal). Imagine my momentary distress at learning that this was not (as I’d long thought) an acronym formed from the names of the five preeminent leaders in Charles II’s government of 1667-1673. Still, it is of little consequence: I’ll consider it a mnemonic instead. Clifford, Arlington, Buckingham, Ashley and Lauderdale may have even had a far greater impact on language than they did on Charles II’s government. And the real origin of cabal? Well, apparently, it came into English via the French ‘cabale’ from the medieval Latin ‘cabbala’.

And there’s more ...
Enjoy.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

[booklady · Rating 3 out of 5]

By OED contributor and World Wide Words author, Michael Quinion. If you like words and their origins, this is a fun book to have around

[Liam Ostermann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful book, didn't read in one sitting but picked it up and enjoyed looking up or just finding odd information on various words/phrases. It is definitely a 'loo book' but a properly written one. What is amusing, although upsets many reviewers, is that the author while demolishing legends can't always supply a definitive replacement. But that is the point, knowing what is 'not' true is sometimes more important than knowing what is 'true'.

I have put a read date of when I bought the book but in reality reading it is an ongoing enjoyment.

[Bridget · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought the author really enjoyed disproving and stamping on every theory about the etymology of every word or phrase ..... ever.

It’s taught me one thing though. Next time I show off that I know the interesting origin of a word or saying, prefix it with, “The theory is ..... “ or “it’s thought that“ ..... or something like that

[John Mayhew · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the most accessible and well-written books on popular etymology I have read. Quinion lays out his intentions early on: to establish the true origins of puzzling words and phrases - as far as possible - and to debunk the kinds of myth that routinely do the rounds in emails. If true explanations are often less ‘colourful’, there is still great enjoyment to be gained from Quinion’s witty, perceptive accounts and the reader feels satisfied that every entry has been researched rigorously and intelligently.

[Christopher Walker · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you think that a word derives from an acronym, then you're probably wrong. That's the most important lesson I learned from this useful little book, although in many cases the true derivation for some of the sayings and expressions we use today have never been found. Still, this is an interesting adventure in language.

[Olya · Rating 3 out of 5]

Your typical bathroom reader. Interesting bits of history and linguistics. Not a book to be read cover to cover in one go.

[Oceana2602 · Rating 2 out of 5]

A book about words! A book with stories about words! Of course, I had to buy it. And I had the intension to read it, but I gave up after the letter "G". Yes, the stories are fascinating (some of them). But not fascinating to read. I thought there would be chapters with stories about a specific subject or family of words, but the book is written like an encyclopedia, and really, they don't make the best reading material.

But it is fun to look up words at random and read their story. It's useful to have around and if you ever need information about the background of some word, feel free to ask. Or, if you are really interested in language, buy the book. Unless you study linguistics, in which case this book may be too inaccurate for you. Not that I would find it inaccurate, but I don't trust information easily, and I don't know the professional reputation of Mr. Quinion in the linguistics department.

[Xanthi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read a few books on etymology now and I feel this one, by far, has been the best one. I have found that many of them are full of inaccurate explanations, to the point whereby they are just furthering 'folk etymology'. Having read this book, I have come to a few conclusions - phrases and words used in the English language have long, weird and often obscure origins - most of which we don't know. A lot of the origins come from the corruption of words from other languages. Also, what you think is the right explanation of a word or phrase's origin is more than likely wrong.
This book is written with a touch of dry humour. It is often very detailed to the point of making my head spin.

[J · Rating 2 out of 5]

Collection of word stories about the origins of various words thus Michael Quinion leads readers into learning the origin language of stories, provides most of the stories that are passed around as to how certain words came around, provides some history about the popular usage of acronyms and then basically in the majority of his entries just wraps it up with basically "but still who knows how this came around. Oh well!"

As such it does make for a slightly interesting read but one that will leave you with more access to the wrong pop trivia stories than in actually getting any real answers to how words have come into being.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I eat up almost any book related to etymology. Since at least half of this book is devoted to documenting the myths surrounding the featured words, Quinlon seems to say that sometimes the journey is just as important as the destination and overall, it's not a bad ride. Still, as you read this know that the quickest way to kill a conversation is by schooling someone on the the original meaning of commonly used (and misused) phrases like "beg the question". In other words, read this book and improve thyself. Leave the policing to professionals.

[Pamela Pickering · Rating 4 out of 5]

Certainly well researched. For the research alone I give it a 5. However it just sucked the fun out of those legendary word origins we've heard over the years (Ex: raining cats and dogs, copper, crapper, posh, etc). Although I'm most always for knowledge, ignorance is definitely more entertaining in this case--for me at least. Therefore I knocked it down a notch to a 4.

An odd addition, this would probably be an excellent choice for those who like to read in the bathroom (just a snippet will do!).

[Kimberly White · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an alphabetized list of where interesting phrases and words come from. Not one to read cover to cover, but great for looking up things you've always wondered about. Basically the author tells us where everyone says a word comes from, and then tells us where it really came from (if anyone knows). The general rule is: if you've heard an interesting story about where a word comes from, that story is not true. The truth is usually interesting anyway, if less picturesque than the fables.

p.s. In the end, I actually DID read this cover to cover.

[Luke · Rating 3 out of 5]

An Etymology book. Explains the roots, histories of words. To me its fascinating as a combination of history, culture, anthropology.

I love listening to stories of the olden times, and each word can have its own piquant little story.

The book, however, is a toilet book. Sit down, read a page containing a word and its etymology, put the book down till next time.

[Smiley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I still wonder if this night farewell is correct, "Sleep tight" when I saw this English subtitle for a French movie on television one night some months ago. Then tonight around 10.10 p.m. (October 12, 2010), I found its meaning by chance while opening the pages at random, that is, on pages 229-231. Interesting and informative.

[Donna · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm interested in etymology, but I found that this book didn't really excite me as much as it could have done. It was a bit repetitive, in the sense taht for many words he just listed their false histories and then went on to say that it's origin can't be proven. Fair enough. It just could have been told in a more entertaining manner though...

[Holly · Rating 3 out of 5]

An amusing history of words and phrases. The author is careful to clarify the proper origin (and often form) of a popular phrase; unfortunately, because real life is not nearly as interesting a fiction, this often leads to several paragraphs of amusing incorrect anecdotes followed by, "origin unknown". Still, an excellent read.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the perfect book for anyone wanting to know the origins of words and popular phrases. I thought it was great. It was interesting to read about all of the etymologies that are actually incorrect.

[Kristin]

sounds like the kind of book you'd keep on the coffeetable

[Nicole]

Word/phrase origins.

[Tim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite interesting but a lot of the phrases are included only to give the popular explanations which turn out to be wrong - and no-one has any idea of the right explanation.

[Greg · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it of course.
I was actually surprised by how many folk etymolgies are acronyms. There are two or three well known ones of course, but there were loads more I didn'tknow

[Fiona Ottley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read better. His answers usually are: dunno.

[Lorrainel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Word nerds forever.

[Tsholo Mothibi · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book could've been so much better in every way.

[Amanda Witt]

a good overview of the common words and phrases whose origins are sketchy or unknown, but various stories and theories have been invented to try and give them some credibility.