Can you suggest a book that delves into the origins of certain words that expands your understanding of the word and its beauty?
For example, I just learned that ‘compassion’ derives from the word for ‘womb’ in Hebrew and Arabic, and I found that incredibly fascinating, how the love for a mother for it’s child is quintessential compassion.
Not sure what your style is. A more serious recommendation is The Etymologicon by Mark Forsyth. He’s written a lot of books on the English language.
A couple more entertaining suggestions:
– Word Perfect by Susie Dent: lots more random, seemingly gibberish words, and where they came from
– Illustrated Histories of Everyday Expressions by James McGuire: if you want to know the background on phrases like “break the ice” or “raining cats and dogs” or “skeleton in the closet”
ReddisaurusRex on
The Oxford English Dictionary. Most libraries have it online. It details the origins of the words, the first time it was documented in print, etc.
Ok-Cheetah-9125 on
It’s not origins but if you like word play, check out Ella Minnow Pea
nookienostradamus on
*Our Magnificent Bastard Tongue* by John McWhorter. It’s all about the progression of English from old to modern, and all the wacky, international words it picked up along the way.
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You’re looking for a good etymology book 🙂
Not sure what your style is. A more serious recommendation is The Etymologicon by Mark Forsyth. He’s written a lot of books on the English language.
A couple more entertaining suggestions:
– Word Perfect by Susie Dent: lots more random, seemingly gibberish words, and where they came from
– Illustrated Histories of Everyday Expressions by James McGuire: if you want to know the background on phrases like “break the ice” or “raining cats and dogs” or “skeleton in the closet”
The Oxford English Dictionary. Most libraries have it online. It details the origins of the words, the first time it was documented in print, etc.
It’s not origins but if you like word play, check out Ella Minnow Pea
*Our Magnificent Bastard Tongue* by John McWhorter. It’s all about the progression of English from old to modern, and all the wacky, international words it picked up along the way.
Babel
Claiborne’s “Our Marvelous Mother Tongue”