Words change: they immigrate and emigrate. They reflect changing fashions and roam across centuries. This book delves into their origins:
Where do words come from?
How do their meanings change?
Why do we stop using them?
This book explores over 3000 words. It explains how they have arrived from over 100 different languages. It traces their changing meanings since Samuel Johnson first compiled his dictionary, and finally identifies many words that are endangered through lack of use.
As we rush headlong into a world of social media acronyms and smiley faces, now is the time to rescue and enjoy gems that have slipped away and to remember that, if words are not used, they will go the way of the Dodo.
Rezensionen / Stimmen
'A fascinating book' -- Andrew Motion 'A book with a charm of its own' -- Sunday Telegraph 'Wonderful words with even more wonderful definitions' -- The Oldie 'A book I would like in my Christmas stocking' -- Alexander McCall Smith
Sprache
Verlagsort
Produkt-Hinweis
Maße
Höhe: 208 mm
Breite: 150 mm
Dicke: 15 mm
Gewicht
ISBN-13
978-1-4456-9908-0 (9781445699080)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Klassifikation
Edward Allhusen is an author and was for many years the owner and publisher of Old House Books. He is now retired but active as the County Organiser of the Devon National Gardens Scheme.
