The Accidental Dictionary: The Remarkable Twists and Turns of English Words

Nonfiction, Reference & Language, Language Arts, Reading, Vocabulary, Linguistics
Cover of the book The Accidental Dictionary: The Remarkable Twists and Turns of English Words by Paul Anthony Jones, Pegasus Books
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Paul Anthony Jones ISBN: 9781681775852
Publisher: Pegasus Books Publication: October 3, 2017
Imprint: Pegasus Books Language: English
Author: Paul Anthony Jones
ISBN: 9781681775852
Publisher: Pegasus Books
Publication: October 3, 2017
Imprint: Pegasus Books
Language: English

Brimming with hidden histories and tantalizing twists, The Accidental Dictionary tells the extraordinary stories behind ordinary words.

Our everyday language is full of surprises; its origins are stranger than you might think. Any word might be knocked and buffeted, subjected to twists and turns, expansions and contractions, happy and unhappy accidents. There are intriguing tales behind even the most familiar terms, and they can say as much about the present as they do the past.

Busking, for instance, originally meant piracy. Grin meant to snarl. A bimbo was a man; nice meant ignorant; glamor was magic, and a cupboard was a table. Buxom used to mean obedient; a cloud was a rock; raunchy originally meant dirty.

Focusing on one hundred surprising threads in the evolution of English, The Accidental Dictionary reveals the etymological origins and quirky developments that have led to the meanings we take for granted today. It is a weird and wonderful journey into words.

So, let's revel in its randomness and delight in its diversity—our dictionary is indeed accidental.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Brimming with hidden histories and tantalizing twists, The Accidental Dictionary tells the extraordinary stories behind ordinary words.

Our everyday language is full of surprises; its origins are stranger than you might think. Any word might be knocked and buffeted, subjected to twists and turns, expansions and contractions, happy and unhappy accidents. There are intriguing tales behind even the most familiar terms, and they can say as much about the present as they do the past.

Busking, for instance, originally meant piracy. Grin meant to snarl. A bimbo was a man; nice meant ignorant; glamor was magic, and a cupboard was a table. Buxom used to mean obedient; a cloud was a rock; raunchy originally meant dirty.

Focusing on one hundred surprising threads in the evolution of English, The Accidental Dictionary reveals the etymological origins and quirky developments that have led to the meanings we take for granted today. It is a weird and wonderful journey into words.

So, let's revel in its randomness and delight in its diversity—our dictionary is indeed accidental.

More books from Pegasus Books

Cover of the book Queen of the World: Elizabeth II: Sovereign and Stateswoman by Paul Anthony Jones
Cover of the book The Bolt Supremacy: Inside Jamaica's Sprint Factory by Paul Anthony Jones
Cover of the book Skulls and Keys: The Hidden History of Yale's Secret Societies by Paul Anthony Jones
Cover of the book A Space Traveler's Guide to the Solar System by Paul Anthony Jones
Cover of the book The Black Prince: England's Greatest Medieval Warrior by Paul Anthony Jones
Cover of the book Hawkwood by Paul Anthony Jones
Cover of the book The Big Book of Swashbuckling Adventure: Classic Tales of Dashing Heroes, Dastardly Villains, and Daring Escapes by Paul Anthony Jones
Cover of the book Footprints in the Dust: Nursing, Survival, Compassion, and Hope with Refugees Around the World by Paul Anthony Jones
Cover of the book In Our Own Image: Savior or Destroyer? The History and Future of Artificial Intelligence by Paul Anthony Jones
Cover of the book Why Can't Elephants Jump?: And 113 Other Tantalizing Science Questions Answered by Paul Anthony Jones
Cover of the book Leap In: A Woman, Some Waves, and the Will to Swim by Paul Anthony Jones
Cover of the book The Eternal City: A History of Rome by Paul Anthony Jones
Cover of the book The Golden Lad: The Haunting Story of Quentin and Theodore Roosevelt by Paul Anthony Jones
Cover of the book Himalaya Bound: One Family's Quest to Save Their Animals--And an Ancient Way of Life by Paul Anthony Jones
Cover of the book Conscience: A Novel by Paul Anthony Jones
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy