Ncassels dictionary of word and phrase origins books

Online etymology dictionary origin, history and meaning of english. Morris dictionary of word and phrase origins 0001594862869. 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. Open library is an open, editable library catalog, building towards a web page for every book ever published.

Still, a few extra minutes spent in the company of good words and good stories makes the facts on file encyclopedia of word and phrase origins as pleasurable as it is useful. Buy dictionary of word and phrase origins 2nd revised edition by morris, william, morris, mary isbn. Morris dictionary of word and phrase origins 9780060589. Online etymology dictionary origin, history and meaning. From longman dictionary of contemporary english origin or. Oxford dictionary of word origins oxford reference. This book has clearly been well maintained and looked after thus far. Brewers dictionary of phrase and fable is a unique and useful reference work offering the definitions and explanations of many famous phrases, idioms, proverbs, allusions, and figuresliterary, historical, and mythical alike.

Exploring etymologies, the stories of our words scholastic. This is a terrific piece of work learned, entertaining, funny, stimulating said jonathan. Understanding roots and word origins like this will make it easier to understand new words, and even why they mean what they mean. Morris dictionary of word and phrase origins by william morris. Histories of more than 8, 000 englishlanguage words reprint by john ayto isbn. Nigel rees is the author of over 50 books, including the cassell dictionary of humorous quotations and the cassell companion to quotations. Oxford dictionary of word histories oxford guide to etymology stories of english crystal word myths word origins liberman medieval english.

This is the list, some 400 word and phrase origins. Etymology word origins interesting phrase histories. Play our free word games interactive hangman 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. Brewers dictionary of phrase and fable open library. Oct 30, 2012 there are a couple of books to support an elementary etymology study. With over 8000 entries, and written for the general market, this volume uncovers the often surprising connections between words. Learn that bikini comes from the name of a pacific island used in the 1940s for atomic bomb tests. Book is a widelyknown word with a whole lot of less wellknown meanings. A book of foreign language expressions and their translations. Words can come and go in a language, but those that show staying power and increasing use need to be recorded and described. Find out where the words bungalow and assassin came from, what nice meant in the middle ages and much more.

The cassell dictionary of word and phrase origins by nigel rees, 1992, cassell edition, in english. The next time you see a word that has hand in it, youll be one step closer to understanding it before you even look it up. Cassell dictionary of word and phrase origins cassell. Cassell dictionary of word and phrase origins book st. Concise oxford dictionary of english etymology oxford. Bibliography word information an english dictionary about. For anyone seeking an engaging, entertaining, and thoroughly readable work on word histories the dictionary of word and phrase origins could not be more highly recommended. With entries from accolade to zoo and including such disparate items as blackmail, fiasco, influence and rigmarole, dictionary of word origins explains the origins and development of 300 commonly used words. Here are some web resources on word and phrase origins and a few. Dictionary of word origins by linda and roger flavell and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Youll find more than 5,700 citations from tv shows, movies, news publications, and other sources.

In those dictionary entries are arranged in word families and each word of the family is defined in terms of the word from which that family originated. It contains more than 60,000 entries from several of the most trusted names in publishing. The cassell dictionary of word and phrase origins 1992. This is an updated encyclopedia that explores the origins of thousands of words and phrases. Dictionaries and the like can be dry reading though, so my favorite books of this sort were the ones of word origins, twisted usage, and mistakeslike those books by the funks which would tell of bizarre origins of words which have come down to us in modern english much altered from other cultures or in fact opposite of their original or. They are real dictionary, if you have one of this you dont need a traditional dictionary. New words are a happy fact of life for a living language, and taking careful stock of the words that we use is an important part of the work of dictionary editors. Started in 1996, the online slang dictionary is the eldest slang dictionary on the web. 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 is a handy book which contains hardtofind etymologies of words and, especially, phrases. The etymologies of common words with straightforward explanations can be found in any good dictionary and i do. Nautical phrases ahoy there, me hearties, heres the language that came from our nautical friends.

Phrases from the bible the single book that has given more sayings, idioms and proverbs to the english language than any other. Words that come from characters in books merriamwebster. Little oxford dictionary of word origins julia cresswell. There is more treasure in books than in all the pirates loot on treasure island, and best of all, you can enjoy these riches every day of your life. Malaprop, who appears in his 1775 play, the rivals.

Books of words definition of books of words by the free. Features over 1,000 words with interesting or surprising origins, such as pyramid, which might once have been a kind of cake, and boudoir, a sulking place. Cassells dictionary of word and phrase origins by nigel rees. Science historian howard markel discusses the words origin, and the modern. The name cassell was first recorded in england in lincolnshire.

Brewers dictionary of phrase and fable, sometimes referred to simply as brewers, is a reference work containing definitions and explanations of many famous phrases, allusions, and figures, whether historical or mythical. The oxford dictionary of word origins describes the origins and development of over 3,000 words and phrases in the english language. He is the deviser and presenter of bbc radio s quote unquote, through which he has become an authority on the popular use of language in slogans, catchphrases, cliches, idioms and quotations. In addition to being an indispensable reference volume, this book could well be picked up at random and read with interest and delight.

Book of life the roll of those chosen for eternal life is from mid14c. Dictionary of word origins by flavell linda flavell roger. The noun book can refer to a bunch of pages bound together, as in a book you read, but also a book of tickets or stamps, a section of a larger work of literature like a book of the bible, or the written script of a stage play. 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. The site has become a favorite resource of teachers of reading, spelling, and english as a second language. Buy the origins of words and phrases readers digest book. The free dictionary s idioms dictionary is the largest collection of english idioms and slang in the world. This book is in the etymology category more etymology books. Adrian richard west room 27 september 1933, melksham 6 november 2010, stamford, lincolnshire was a british toponymist and onomastician, a fellow of the royal geographical society and a prolific author of reference works relating primarily to the origins of word and placenames between 1952 and 1979, room served in the royal naval reserve, special branch, retiring as a lieutenant commander. This guide is designed for anyone who is looking for the origin of words. Wordbook definition, a book of words, usually with definitions, explanations, etc a dictionary. The origin of chemistry the word chemistry is said to have roots in either ancient egypt or greece. Cassells dictionary of word and phrase origins cassell.

Phrase books definition of phrase books by the free dictionary. Once you know each word s origin, youll begin to notice it in other words. It also includes a book list of dictionaries, thesauri, and word phrase and origin books. Explore 40 common words and phrases shakespeare invented. The cover may have some limited signs of wear but the pages are clean, intact and the spine remains undamaged. Word origin article about word origin by the free dictionary. But shipley s dictionary of word origins does not bother with the word horn, sending us directly to the word bugle, where we learn that a bugle old french, from the latin buculus and diminutive of bos, bovis, or ox originally referred to a buffalo, and that the english word buff think also beef or in french boeuf made superficial work of its subject by identifying the ox by its hide rather. In this entertaining compendium, robert hendrickson, author of numerous popular works on language and literature, traces the sometimes bizarre and always fascinating origins and developments of more than 9,000 words and phrases, including slang, proverbs, animal and plant names, place names, nicknames, historical expressions, foreignlanguage expressions, and more. It is professional enough to satisfy academic standards, but accessible enough to be used by anyone. Go search best sellers gift ideas new releases deals store coupons. Cassells dictionary of word and phrase origins book. Online shopping from a great selection at books store.

A bibliography of etymology sources of english words from latin and greek word origins. Phrases and sayings with meanings and origins explained. 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. New dictionary words september 2019 merriamwebster. Oxford dictionary of word origins julia cresswell oxford.

This blog has talked about interesting words and their origins before, and i have to admit a lingering fascination for learning the etymology of words. Dictionary meaning in the cambridge english dictionary. Search by keyword or full phrase to get clear, indepth definitions of american idioms, british idioms, and idioms and slang from throughout the. The book s editor, paul beale, comments that the phrase is often shortened to something like on ya. Richard sheridan, the irish dramatist, is responsible for the word malapropism, as it is based on the name of a character, mrs. Cassell dictionary of word and phrase origins book. You can read online cassell s dictionary of word and phrase origins here in pdf, epub, mobi or docx formats. With its unparalleled coverage of english slang of all types from 18thcentury cant to contemporary gay slang, and its uncluttered editorial apparatus, cassells dict ionary of slang was warmly received when its first edition appeared in 1998. Behind the dictionary you know what booze means, of course, but what if you asked someone in london for a definition say, 500 years ago. A majority of english word roots come from latin and greek. Word origin definition of word origin by medical dictionary. A dictionary is by definition in a dictionary a book or electronic resource that lists the words of a language typically in alphabetical order and gives their meaning, or gives the equivalent words in a different language, often also providin. Cassell s dictionary of word and phrase origins cassell dictionary of by nigel rees and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at.

What is the origin of the phrase its raining cats and. Cassell dictionary of word and phrase origins book, 1996. Yes, but i keep wondering when the outcome of all this phrase forum conversation weve been having here will be put between covers. Phrases coined by shakespeare the bard of avon, he gave us more words and expressions than anyone else. Book definition, a handwritten or printed work of fiction or nonfiction, usually on sheets of paper fastened or bound together within covers. The facts on file encyclopedia of word and phrase origins. The surname cassell was first found in lincolnshire, where they held a family seat from very early times and were granted lands by duke william of normandy, their liege lord, for their distinguished assistance at the battle of hastings in 1066 a. In this new edition, william and mary morris update and expand their classic work to keep pace with our ever changing language. World wide words tries to record at least a part of this shifting wordscape by featuring new words, word histories, words in the news, and the curiosities of native english speech. Do you have any idea where the word nerd came from, or twerp.

Shakespeare invented, or at least, wrote down a lot of words and phrases that are still used today. Interesting words and their origins word skit blog. Meaning sum of criminal charges is from 1926, hence slang phrase throw the book at 1932. Eric partridges a dictionary of slang and unconventional english notes that the vocal emphasis is on the middle word. Top american libraries canadian libraries universal library community texts project gutenberg biodiversity. List of books and articles about word origins online.

Watch the scripps national spelling bee every year and youll see what knowing the origin of a word can do for your understanding of that term or phrase. This dictionary starts where ordinary references beg off. 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. This book contains a mediumsized selection of words, but each word is laboriously discussed and researched. The revised and updated edition from the 1890s is now in the public domain, and webbased versions are available online. Morris dictionary of word and phrase origins by william and mary morris harpercollins, new york, 1977, 1988. Online etymology dictionary external a free online dictionary of word origins. However, the study of word origins is not a practice which always been welcome. Buy cassell dictionary of word and phrase origins cassell language reference 2nd revised edition by rees, nigel isbn. Discover that bad hair day was originated by california teenagers in the early 1990s.

World wide words external the english language is forever changing. The study of word origins was transformed in the 20th century by sir william jones and the comparative philologists, who depended on a painstaking analysis of textual evidence from many languages, which is became a part of historical linguistics. This is one in a series of four books two mostly sayings and two wordsphrases by mr. Buy the origins of words and phrases readers digest book online at best prices in india on. In and of itself, etymology isnt a terribly important or necessary fieldknowing the origins of words and phrases isnt going to save lives improve anyones quality of life, it wont even help you. Podcasts are a great way for students to access resources that are above their reading level but not necessarily their. Learn why a flight data recorder is called a black boxeven though its orange. Not cheap, but well worth the money if you can afford it as it is a notable improvement on less expensive equivalents. The fascinating origins of 16 common english words. Lexicographer jonathon green will tell you the word is a lot older than you might think. From these 16 words, youll learn the meanings of more than 30 other words. Many of the succinct definitions and explanations, marked with brewers famous wit and observations, dont appear in traditional dictionaries or encyclopedias.

Bibliography word information an english dictionary. Jan 16, 2010 have you ever wondered why we wear perfume, read magazines, vote for candidates, speak in jargon. Vimes had believed all his life that the watch were called coppers because they carried copper badges, but no, said carrot, it comes from the old word cappere, to capture. Buy cassells dict ionary of word and phrase origins by rees, nigel isbn. Nigel rees new and expanded, with over 1,200 words and colloquial expressionsincluding newcomers to the languagethis dictionary starts where others give up.