Oxford School Dictionary of Word Origins (2009): The curious twists and turns of the cool and weird words we use

by JohnAyto (Author)

• Used

  Hardcover
  2009

  $4.39

  With headwords in colour, and quirky character illustrations, this dictionary recounts the absorbing and fascinating history of thousands of words. This new edition takes a fresh look at the cool and curious words we use, and tells the stories of where words come from, whether they are to do with food, the supernatural, fashion, invented words, or words from the 80s, 90s, and noughties. Who ate the first sandwich? Where does abracadabra come from? Would you really be spooked by a zombie? John Ayto, top word expert entertains all ages from eight to eighty with this informative and humorous dictionary.

• Used

  Hardcover
  2002

  $3.40

  Trialled and tested in schools For the first time a comprehensive dictionary of word origins will be available for all school students. Each headword entry gives a complete and fascinating story about how a particular word came into the English language and evolved over time. In addition, each headword entry includes meanings and how each word is used in context. It also includes 40 extended panels covering a range of themes like: * Other languages which gave vocabulary to the English language form Arabic and Australian-Aboriginal to Urdu and Yiddish * Acronyms (AIDS, NATO), eponyms (Wellingtons), invented words (nylon, spoof), shortened words (photo, exam), blends (motor and hotel became motel) and folk etymology * Subjects students are interested in, ranging from food and drink, animals, sports, space, to first names and illnesses