The founder of Wordsmith.org explores the fascinating origins and history behind more than three hundred words, names, terms, and phrases, including the etymology of such items as deipnosophist, philomath, illeist, accismus, petrichor, and more. Original. 35,000 first printing.
From the creator of the popular A.Word.A.Day e-mail newsletter A collection of some of the most interesting stories and fascinating origins behind more than 300 words, names, and terms by the founder of WordSmith.org. Did you know: Theres a word for the pleasant smell that accompanies the first rain after a dry spell? "Petrichor," combining "petros" (Greek for "stone") and "ichor" (the fluid that flows in the veins of Greek gods). An "illeist" is one who refers to oneself in the third person. Theres a word for feigning lack of interest in something while actually desiring it: "accismus," For any aspiring "deipnosophist" (a good conversationalist at meals) or devoted "Philomath" (a lover of learning), this anthology of entertaining etymology is an ideal way to have fun while getting smarter.
Introduction
ix
Hidden Lives of Everyday Words
1
(10)
Didn't You Just Make This Up?
11
(8)
Tasty Words
19
(12)
People Who Became Words
31
(12)
There Is Even a Word for That
43
(12)
Fictional Characters Who Came Alive
55
(10)
You Have Changed!
65
(8)
Dickensian Characters Who Became Words
73
(10)
Words to Describe People: Insults
83
(8)
Streets That Became Metaphors
91
(6)
How Do You Measure the Warmth of Clothes?
97
(12)
Places That Became Words
109
(14)
Lexicographer, There Is a Fly in My Language!
123
(8)
Words About Words and Languages
131
(12)
It's All a Myth
143
(14)
Ultimately We Are All Related: The Story of Indo-European
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