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Word Origins: A Classic Exploration of Words and Language | 
 enlarge | Author: Wilfred Funk
Publisher: Gramercy
Category: Book
List Price: $11.99
Buy New: $7.09
You Save: $4.90 (41%)
New (17) Used (33) Collectible (5) from $3.81
Avg. Customer Rating:  9 reviews
Sales Rank: 27306
Media: Hardcover
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 448
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.3
Dimensions (in): 9.1 x 6.3 x 1.6
ISBN: 0517265745
Dewey Decimal Number: 422
EAN: 9780517265741
ASIN: 0517265745
Publication Date: August 11, 1992
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
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.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 4 more reviews...
 Words are fascinating! January 6, 2008
By Edward G. Schultz, author of "Morgan's Mission", "Christmas Stories For Adults" and "Poems For Those Who Don't Like Poetry".
Books about words fascinate me and Mr. Funk has arranged them so as to be easy to correlate. Almost every time I pick up this book, I find a new word origination that I had wondered about. Of course, as a writer, it also helps me to use better terminology and provides synonyms that I might have not reconized. Although there are many books on the origination of words, this one is unique in the manner of correlation of the subjects.
 Fun, trivial and a great book to have if your being interrupted frequently. September 8, 2007
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
Some edition of Word Origins has been around for nearly 60 continuous years. Wilfred Funk, who in every way perhaps best represents the archetypal American wordsmith, complied and interesting but not exhaustive (how could it be?) volume of words and their anecdotal genesis.
Word Origins is a fun book, and if you're the trivial type, or aspire to be, you would be well served by reading a few pages a night.
I wouldn't call it "gripping," but if you need something to read that can be set aside and easily returned to, this is the book to have.
Great fun and much appreciated.
REVIEW EVERY BOOK YOU READ.
Great find! January 9, 2007
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
This book is a great addition to any home looking for fun enlightenment. Purchased as a learning tool it doubles in our home as "fun reading". Two birds with one stone (so to speak) We really enjoy it!
read yourself sober December 5, 2005
7 out of 11 found this review helpful
We know that Tom and Jerry is the name of this cat-chase-mouse classic cartoon. How about it being the name of an alcohol drink? And prior to this what is it? This informative and even more interesting etymological "beechstaff" will freshen you up with the histories of the most common and familiar words you can imagine. Pick up, flip open, be surprised and seduced, for there is an aphrodisiac love apple in it--more commonly known to us as the tomato.
A great basic word etymology for the non-linguist. September 1, 2005
23 out of 24 found this review helpful
I stumbled upon this jewel at the local Rancho Bernardo library. My high school english teacher in India, Mr. F. X. Paul, owned a tattered copy and used to read to us aloud a page or two in his grammar class. It helped relieve our boredom brought upon by trying to memorize grammar rules and sentence parsing.
Funk gives you a non-technical discourse on word etymologies. Grouped by categories, and sorted alphabetically, common english words and their history is explained. The write-up on individual words is very interesting and makes for a superb read. I was intrigued by the history and usage of words like barrister and pettition.
For a non-linguist like myself this book is a treasure trove of delight. Excellent resource.
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