Customer Reviews

Morris Dictionary of Word and Phrase Origins (CD)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Though I own probably a dozen books on origins of words and phrases, this is usually the first I turn to, and often the last. If I had to discard all but one, there is no question I would choose this one. Not only only is the sheer quantity of definitions impressive, but so is the scholarship that backs up the entries. When an authoritative etymology is not available, or there are conflicting theories, the authors are up front and tell you so. Refusing to just pass on an oft-repeated tale, the authors know enough to provide citations to support or disprove a theory of word or phrase origin. Yet not once are they dry and pedantic; they're good story-tellers as well.

This book is an enjoyable read, with some phrases I have not found in other work phrase books (and I have about six such type books.) However, I think the title of the book has given this book and average rating among reviewers. Those expecting a comprehensive amount of word/phrase origins will be disappointed, but no fault of theirs, the book's title is misleading. The book's title should be something like "Interesting Word and Phrase Origins". It's also a little high-priced for what you get new, so definately get a used version.

This is one of the "funnest books" that I own. I keep it in the bathroom and, hence, refer to it daily. It provides a seemingly endless source of interesting facts and information, tracing the roots of words and phrases that you've been using all your life. Wonder where canape'/hors d'oeuvre or diggs/diggings or dingbat came from? How about snafu, foobar or oompah? What about stuff like "cuttin off your nose to spite your face," so you can "keep up with the Joneses?" If you take to this book like I have, you'll make it a present to your friends, as I have.

Based upon the description provided for this "comprehensive" book, I expected an authoritative and informative reference book. In reality it is a bizarre hodgepodge of words and phrases. It may be entertaining but I don't consider it a comprehensive reference book.

Just a short comment: I own several reference books on phrase etymology. This is the best of the bunch.

As a budding linguist (by hobby not vocation) it's kind of fun to be able to cross-reference with other dictionaries of word origins. But if you are of limited funds or just want a better source, I'd definitely suggest you give this a miss and go for something by Ayto or Oxford.

I much prefered The Facts on File Encyclopedia of Word and Phrase Origins by Robert Hendrickson. The Morris book seemed very random, while the work by Hendrickson seemed more in-depth.

I owned an earlier edition of this book and lost track of it some 30 years ago. I've been haunting bookstores for it ever since, but (duh) it only just occurred to me to search Amazon. Others are right, it's really not a reference book. It is simply an endlessly entertaining trove of interesting trivia about the source of our idioms.

I purchased this book as a gift for my younger brother, who is always asking me, "where did that phrase come from?" and now he has his answers at his fingertips 24/7. He says he keeps the book next to his recliner in the living room for quick reference and for answers when I call him.
I looked through several similar books before deciding to purchase this one. The others were not as detailed and this one has 688 pages, very nice. In my opinion it will make a terrific Christmas gift for anyone!!!

Thanks so much.
Debbie

I've often wondered about the origins of some common words and phrases and the dictionary isn't sufficient for that purpose. The Morris volume that I purchased is right on target and a satisfactory source for most of our useage