What's In A Word Fascinating Stories Of More Than 350 Everyday Words And Phrases [Paperback]

Webb Garrison (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 12, 2000

Here is a fascinating and humorous encyclopedia of more than three hundred words and phrases and how they have taken on new meanings over time. It is an informative reference book for the whole family. What's in a Word? is a sequel to Garrison's popular Why You Say It. Indexed.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (June 12, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1558538119
• ISBN-13: 978-1558538115
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,366,250 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Webb Garrison, formerly associate dean of Emory University and president of McKendree College, wrote more than 55 books, including Civil War Curiosities and Civil War Trivia and Fact Book. Before his death in 2000, Garrison lived in Lake Junaluska, North Carolina.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars For the masses only, May 7, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: What's In A Word Fascinating Stories Of More Than 350 Everyday Words And Phrases (Paperback)

This book is seriously marred by several factual and etymological errors. If you are serious about language and etymology, stick with something more interesting, like the dictionary.

3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting, April 4, 2011

By 

that chick that reads - See all my reviews

This review is from: What's In A Word Fascinating Stories Of More Than 350 Everyday Words And Phrases (Paperback)

This is actually one of my favorite books right now! It's crazy how our language and way of saying things has changed so much over the years. For example: Lingerie back in day was just a type of linen that was made for dresses but women liked the feel of it on their skin, thus now it became attached to intimate wear! It's honestly insightful and very interesting, especially when you skim through it instead of reading it cover to cover! This book takes the words that we know now and takes them back to their original origin. It's so interesting to find out just how different our language has turned just over a couple of centuries. The explanations are short and to the point, which is why it kept me so interested! They don't drag on and on telling you every single thing about the word but the most interesting thing. I mean it's a little outdated just because of the different terminology, like the word floppy disk (which I doubt many of us remember what those are anymore). If you like books about the meaning of things or just some cool facts and stuff, then you would def enjoy this book! I give it 3 out of 5 paws!

3.0 out of 5 stars great to read in small chunks, August 11, 2010

By 

Heather Kelm - See all my reviews

This review is from: What's In A Word Fascinating Stories Of More Than 350 Everyday Words And Phrases (Paperback)

The little things we say in society, even more so when you travel to different regions of the USA have always fascinated me. My great grandma always says, "for crying out loud". Now my Dad and daughter say this. But when asked, they don't know why, except that my Nana says it. Where does this word come from? Why do people say it?



That's when I came across the book, "What's in a Word?" It's a book of short entries separated by categories. I found that it was slightly outdated (with the computer genre). I'm sure most of us aren't very interested in where the word "floppy disk" came from. Many of us don't even remember what a floppy disk is! I did find the stories fun to read if you jumped around and read random passages. It was interesting to learn the history of common phrases we use.



When I first started to read this book, I tried to read it like a novel - entry after entry in the same category. I found this mind numbing and boring. But for some fun facts and random trivia, grab this book and skip around. Find something that catches your attention and read on. It's a great book to keep by the couch, bedside or in the bathroom.