Etymology English

In the same engaging style and dry humor that makes the Podictionary podcast popular, Hodgson traces the development of our language using easily recognizable milestones such as Beowulf, William the Conqueror, Chaucer, and Shakespeare, with a minimum of dates and dry facts.

Why are spectacularly successful movies called blockbusters? Why does "putting your best foot forward" mean you hope to make a good impression? Why is rowdy and prankish behavior called horseplay and what does it have to do with the rarity of horses? Word Nerds Unite! shares 200 fascinating word meanings for fans of Wordle, Scrabble, and other word games.

Deep Roots follows a series of salient words to their roots, re-enlivening meaning and depth. Deep Roots is a etymological illumination, like touring a great inheritance. Deep Roots calls us to our depth, to be of substance. "This is an extraordinary book. The Hellenes had a profound understanding of our deep roots, our nature roots, our cosmic roots and especially our spiritual roots. As a philosopher, I can affirm that Mr Marrero has changed the perspective we all had on Greek philosophy. A must read." — Roger Savoie, PhD, philosopher, writer, and translator, author, La Vipère et le ...

Looking for a unique and engaging way to teach yourself and your kids about the intriguing history and origins of the names of the 50 States? Look no further than this book!

Many of the animals we encounter in everyday life, from the creatures in our fields to those in our fantasies, have remained the same since medieval times - but the words we use, and the ways we describe them, have often changed beyond recognition. Old English was spoken over a thousand years ago, when every animal was a deor. In this glittering Old English bestiary we find deors big and small, the ordinary and the extraordinary, the good, the bad and the downright baffling.

Words to Eat By explores the remarkable stories behind five of our most basic food words, words which reveal fascinating aspects of the evolution of the English language and our powerful associations with certain foods. Using sources that vary from Roman histories and early translations of the Bible to Julia Child's recipes and Frank Bruni's restaurant reviews, Ina Lipkowitz shows how saturated with French and Italian names the English culinary vocabulary is, "from a la carte to zabaglione."

This book explores the creation and history of pasta and how the different shapes got their names. We'll examine its earliest forms, its role in early diets, and its significance in shaping culinary traditions across the ages.