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 Cyberspies: The Secret History of Surveillance, Hacking, and Digital Espionage by Paul Anthony Jones
Cover of the book The Wages of Desire: A World War II Mystery by Paul Anthony Jones
Cover of the book The Archipelago of Hope: Wisdom and Resilience from the Edge of Climate Change by Paul Anthony Jones
Cover of the book The Secret Life of Souls: A Novel by Paul Anthony Jones
Cover of the book The Wrath of Cochise by Paul Anthony Jones
Cover of the book A Kiss Before Dying: A Novel by Paul Anthony Jones
Cover of the book War Stories: From the Charge of the Light Brigade to the Battle of the Bulge and Beyond by Paul Anthony Jones
Cover of the book The Passenger: A Novel by Paul Anthony Jones
Cover of the book The Silver Bear: A Novel (Silver Bear Thrillers) by Paul Anthony Jones
Cover of the book Lanterne Rouge: The Last Man in the Tour de France by Paul Anthony Jones
Cover of the book The Language of the Dead: A World War II Mystery by Paul Anthony Jones
Cover of the book Sherlock: The Essential Arthur Conan Doyle Adventures by Paul Anthony Jones
Cover of the book The Red Sphinx: A Sequel to The Three Musketeers by Paul Anthony Jones
Cover of the book The Black Prince: England's Greatest Medieval Warrior by Paul Anthony Jones
Cover of the book The Classical World: The Foundations of the West and the Enduring Legacy of Antiquity 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