The Unexpected Evolution of Language: Discover the Surprising Etymology of Everyday Words
Language: English
Published by Adams Media Corporation, 2012
- Softcover
- Used
Seller: World of Books (was SecondSale), Montgomery, IL, U.S.A.World of Books (was SecondSale)
AbeBooks seller since December 20, 2007
Condition: Used - Very good
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Add to basketItem description from seller
With more than 200 terms and word origins, readers will love learning about the etymology of words and seeing just what kind of damage time has done to the English language.
Seller Inventory # CIN1440542783VG
- Title
- The Unexpected Evolution of Language: Discover the Surprising Etymology of Everyday Words
- Author
- Justin Cord Hayes
- Publisher
- Adams Media Corporation
- Publication year
- 2012
- Condition
- Very Good
- Binding
- Paperback
- Language
- English
- ISBN 10
- 1440542783
- ISBN 13
- 9781440542787
Did you know that "awful" first originated as a compliment? How about the fact that it was perfectly fine for someone to defecate in their living room? Or that at one time a bully was actually a sweetheart?
You may think that these things sound outlandish, but hundreds of years ago, the words "awful," "defecate," and "bully" meant something entirely different than what we know today. The Unexpected Evolution of Language reveals the origins of 208 everyday terms and the interesting stories behind their shift in meaning.
Arranged in alphabetical order, you will enjoy uncovering the backstories to terms like:
- Awful - worthy of respect or fear; inspiring awe
- Bimbo - slang for a stupid, inconsequential man
- Defecate - to purify; cleanse
- Invest - to clothe; to dress
- Nice - foolish; stupid
- Relay - hunting term meaning fresh pack of hounds
From "aftermath" and "sophisticated" to "empty" and "prestige," you will aboslutely love seeing just what kind of damage time has done to the English language.
"Synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
About the Author
Justin Cord Hayes, coauthor of The Big Book of Words You Should Know andRoget's Thesaurus of Words for Intellectuals, is an experienced journalist and teacher. He lives in North Carolina.
"About the title" may belong to another edition of this title.
World of Books (was SecondSale)
Montgomery, IL, U.S.A.
AbeBooks seller since December 20, 2007
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Founded in 2002, World of Books is a leading online destination for buying and selling both preloved and new books, committed to making sustainable reading accessible to all. With a mission to help people read more and waste less, World of Books offers a huge range of affordable, high-quality books — giving both new and preloved titles a second life. The company also operates World of Books – Sell Your Books, an easy-to-use platform that allows customers to trade in unwanted books for cash, helping to keep books in circulation while promoting sustainability. As a Certified B Corp, World of Books is driven by a vision to become the world’s largest and most sustainable dedicated online bookstore. The company measures its success through the positive environmental impact it creates, the value it provides to customers, and its ability to operate profitably while supporting its sustainable mission …
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