These short essays by the author of Lives of a Cell reflect Thomas's fascination with the origins of words and their historical percolation. By tracing certain words in common use millennia ago ( wopsa , for instance) from, say, an Indo-European root through Old Norse or Middle Dutch or Old Icelandic, he demonstrates how such words are remarkably similar to their descendants in modern English ( wasp ). Many words he finds both "lovely and lovable" ( civility , for example), but not all. Looking askance at offal , he would do away with surly , and happily explains why. Thomas points out that children make language, citing a grandson's amusing coinage. Commenting that a universal language is probably inevitable, he briefly inquires into the Gaia theory (Planet Earth as living organism). These and other minor excursions are firmly tied to his overall theme: language not only binds and unites us, it is what makes us unique. Thomas's gentle ruminations will be enjoyed by those who share his etymological enchantment.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.

Store Description

Selling hard cover and trade paperback books. Specialties include Science & Technology, History, Religion & Philosophy, Classics.

Visit Seller's Storefront

Seller's business information

Russ States
PA, U.S.A.

Terms of Sale:

Shipping is additional. Media mail (book rate) is available in US only. Priority mail is also available (West Coast may be higher). Heavy books are usually noted in description and will have an additional postage charge. International shipping, please inquire. Please note that after 14 May 2007 the US Postal Service no longer ships surface to any other countries. All packages have to go by first class mail or Priority mail. I accept checks or money orders from the US only. International customer...

More Information

Shipping Terms:

Mailing address: Russ States, P.O. Box 292, Seneca, PA 16346. Orders usually ship within 2 business days. Shipping costs are based on books weighing 2.2 LB, or 1 KG. Heavy books are usually noted in description and will have an additional postage charge. Shipping is additional. Media mail (book rate) is available in US only. Priority mail is also available (West Coast may be higher). International shipping, please inquire. Please note that after 14 May 2007 the US Postal Service no longer ships surface to any other countries. All international packages have to go by first class mail or Priority mail. Often books can fit into the Global Priority envelopes which have a standard fee up to 4 pounds. I will use this whenever possible & reduce the shipping costs accordingly.

Payment Methods
accepted by seller

Check Money Order PayPal

Add to Wants

Items related to ET CETERA, ET CETERA: Notes of a Word Watcher

ET CETERA, ET CETERA: Notes of a Word Watcher

Thomas, Lewis

Used - Hardcover

Seller's business information