A01=John Ayto
Author_John Ayto
Books about language
books about words
books for english majors
books for readers
Category=CB
Category=CFF
development of language
dictionary
English language
eq_bestseller
eq_dictionaries-language-reference
eq_isMigrated=1
eq_isMigrated=2
eq_nobargain
eq_non-fiction
etymology
etymology dictionary
etymology reference books
evolution of language
gifts for english majors
gifts for readers
history of english
history of language
history of words
language
language history reference
linguistics
linguistics dictionary
linguistics history
linguistics reference books
translations
word roots
Product details
- ISBN 9780713674989
- Weight: 870g
- Dimensions: 154 x 232mm
- Publication Date: 17 Oct 2005
- Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
- Publication City/Country: GB
- Product Form: Paperback
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The average contemporary English speaker knows 50,000 words. Yet stripped down to its origins, this apparently huge vocabulary is in reality much smaller, derived from Latin, French and the Germanic languages. It is estimated that every year, 800 neologisms are added to the English language: acronyms (nimby), blended words (motel), and those taken from foreign languages (savoir-faire). Laid out in an A-Z format with detailed cross references, and written in a style that is both authoritative and accessible, Word Origins is a valuable historical guide to the English language.
John Ayto is an experienced lexicographer and author of many language titles. He is Chief Etymologist on the Bloomsbury English Dictionary.
