Semantic Antics: How and Why Words Change Meaning
Steinmetz, Sol
ISBN 10: 0375426124 ISBN 13: 9780375426124
Published by Random House Reference, 2008
Used
Hardcover
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Off The Shelf, Antonia, MO, U.S.A.
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About this Item
Description:
The item shows wear from consistent use, but it remains in good condition and works perfectly. All pages and cover are intact including the dust cover, if applicable . Spine may show signs of wear. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting. May NOT include discs, access code or other supplemental materials. Seller Inventory # 4WILKM00O681
Synopsis:
"My favorite popular word book of the year"
-William Safire, NY Times 6/22/2008
A fun, new approach to examining etymology!
Many common English words started out with an entirely different meaning than the one we know today. For example:
The word adamant came into English around 855 C.E. as a synonym for 'diamond,' very different from today's meaning of the word: "utterly unyielding in attitude or opinion."
Before the year 1200, the word silly meant "blessed," and was derived from Old English saelig, meaning "happy." This word went through several incarnations before adopting today's meaning: "stupid or foolish."
In Semantic Antics, lexicographer Sol Steinmetz takes readers on an in-depth, fascinating journey to learn how hundreds of words have evolved from their first meaning to the meanings used today.
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Bibliographic Details
Title: Semantic Antics: How and Why Words Change ...
Publisher: Random House Reference
Publication Date: 2008
Binding: Hardcover
Condition: good