Overview
Our everyday language is full of surprises; its origins are stranger than you might think. Any word might be knocked and buffeted, subjected to twists and turns, expansions and contractions, happy and unhappy accidents. There are intriguing tales behind even the most familiar terms, and they can say as much about the present as they do the past.
Busking, for instance, originally meantĀ piracy.Ā GrinĀ meant toĀ snarl. AĀ bimboĀ was aĀ man;Ā niceĀ meantĀ ignorant;Ā glamorĀ wasĀ magic, and aĀ cupboardĀ was aĀ table.Ā BuxomĀ used to meanĀ obedient; aĀ cloudĀ was aĀ rock;Ā raunchyĀ originally meantĀ dirty.
Focusing on one hundred surprising threads in the evolution of English,Ā The Accidental DictionaryĀ reveals the etymological origins and quirky developments that have led to the meanings we take for granted today. It is a weird and wonderful journey into words.
So, let's revel in its randomness and delight in its diversityāour dictionary is indeed accidental.
This book title, The Accidental Dictionary (The Remarkable Twists and Turns of English Words), ISBN: 9781681775692, by Paul Anthony Jones, published by Pegasus Books (October 3, 2017) is available in hardcover. Our minimum order quantity is 25 copies. All standard bulk book orders ship FREE in the continental USA and delivered in 4-10 business days.
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