Authorisms: Words Wrought by Writers
There are dictionaries and books of quotations, but this is a collection of a slightly different sort. Paul Dickson has done the research to uncover the authorial source of words and short phrases that have become part of the English language over the past few centuries. The result is a fascinating tour through an alphabetical array of terms that have surprising sources. You will find familiar words alongside some not so familiar, but for all of those collected he provides miniature stories that explain the provenance of the words in question. This compendium is a delight for anyone who loves the English language.
4 comments:
this sounds interesting... i wonder if you've read Willard Espy, a philologist who lived just north of us in Oysterville, Wa...
I also find this stuff fascinating. I used to listen to a radio program that had a guest on every month who used to talk about this stuff m. I wish that I knew more about the field.
Mudpuddle,
Thanks for the recommendation. I have heard of Espy, but have not read his work.
Brian,
Thanks for your observation. The derivation or sourcing of words is fascinating.
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