Customer Reviews

Dictionary of Word Origins: A History of the Words, Expressions and Cliches We Use

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Jordan Almond's "Dictionary of Word Origins" is an intriguing look at phrases and words we all toss about apart from their original meaning. This book is about those original meanings of cliches.

This is different than most 'unusual word' dictionaries. Usually, you'll get the term, maybe a pronunciation and a short definiton. Instead, here we are introduced to where the word came from. He explains it carefully in layman's language. He doesn't gussy up his book with high-fallootin' lexographical phrasology.

For example, he defines (for a camel to pass through the) "eye of a needle" by describing it biblical origination, and connects it with a Jewish town gateway so small only pedestrians and the smallest of camels can pass through, not large camels (hence, protecting the town from pillagers). Christ famously refers to this in the New Testament, forever placing the phrase in our vernacular.

Jordan tosses our way what 'doughboy,' 'hair of the dog,' 'grandfather clock,' 'corn,' 'boondoggle,' 'nose to the grindstone."

'Manna' for example, means, "What is it?" as the Isrealites had no idea what they were being given. 'Maudlin,' Jordan reveals, is from the British pronunciation of 'Magdalene,' and that early artists painted Mary Magdalene with a dour demeanor.

Editorial historians might differ with Jordan as per the precise origin of 'OK.' They would argue that it was a silly joke--an intended deviation of "all correct" (oll korekt) as written on acceptable copy. Jordan suggests that it is from Martin Van Buren's nickname of Old Kinderhook while he ran for office.

Knowing this is not a scientific text, you can enjoy this as I did, as something to wander through while sipping tea and munching warm scones on an early Saturday morning. Linguists, cultural anthropologists might all disagree about the beginnings of words, but, for me, it was a fun, educational read.

I fully recommend "Dictionary of Word Origins" by Jordan Almond.

Anthony Trendl

I liked this book but found mistakes. I feel that I can not always trust definitions or explanations submitted by Mr. Almond. Two examples would be "bull pen" and thimble. It has some very interesting information but should be double checked.

This book is okay but I thought it would be thicker and have more words in it.

This is a good book, BUT don't purchase it as a companion to Why Do We Say It. They are the same book in different covers, even some of the page numbers are the very same.

A great reference book. Not all sayings are in it, but it includes many of those we use very often. As a reference it comes in handy frequently. Plus, even the author names leads to speculation.

Word derivation is a good resource to have on your bookshelf. It's also a good resource to have in doing self-development work where you are asked to create your own motto or vision statement. It's a good resource for writers and for career counselors.

A fun read, but looking through Amazon, there may be better books on this subject.

i should hesitate to criticize a fellow drudge in the ditch of language, but Professor Almond's definition of the phrase TIPS was used on a local radio show as an acronym for To Insure Prompt Service. ...
but professor almond's book seems to be popular, i have yet to catch it unchecked out at our local library
onward
pete saussy/george stone saussy iii, compiler of the Oxter English Dictionary/Penguin Dictionary of Curious and Interesting Words/The Logodaedalian's Dictionary of Curious and Interesting Words [all pretty much the same book and out of print]

I found a number of inaccuracies in this book, one of the largest being Mr. Jordan's explication of the expression "as difficult as a camel passing through the eye of a needle." It appears that he hasn't read Matthew 18 which states "And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God."