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Did you know that coconut derives from the Spanish and Portuguese coco for 'grinning face'? Or that giraffes used to be called camelopards? Or that walrus has its origin in Dutch, meaning 'whale horse'.
The Little Oxford Dictionary of Word Origins includes 1,000 word histories arranged across 100 wide-ranging themes, from food to phobias, from the universe to love. Featuring words with interesting or surprising origins, it is an irresistible collection of word histories, including dates of origin and an authoritative account of each word's derivation.
Beautifully produced and attractively designed, this fascinating volume is a pleasure to browse. It also features a useful index so you can quickly find just the word you are looking for. It is the perfect gift for word lovers and for anyone with an interest in the English language.
List of contents
- Introduction
- List of Subjects
- Little Oxford Dictionary of Word Origins
- Glossary
About the author
Julia Cresswell hat in Oxford studiert und ist eine anerkannte Mittelalterforscherin und Sprachwissenschaftlerin. Als Autorin hat sie neben wissenschaftlichen Büchern bereits mehrere populäre Bücher geschrieben, unter anderem Namensbücher aus bestimmten Kulturkreisen (Irland, Schottland) oder ein Lexikon zur Bedeutung von Ortsnamen.
Summary
The Little Oxford Dictionary of Word Origins includes 1,000 word histories arranged by theme, from food to phobias, and from universe to love. Featuring words with interesting or surprising origins, including dates of origin and an account of each word's derivation, it is an irresistible collection and the perfect gift for word lovers.
Additional text
would make an ideal and inexpensive present for anyone who loves words
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Wide-ranging... yet not overwhelming. Full of 'a-ha!' moments THe Good Book Guide
