Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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 I mean it's a little outdated just because of the different terminology, like the word floppy disk (which I doubt many of us remember what those are anymore).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!

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 I found that it was slightly outdated (with the computer genre).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.

When I first saw this book I was really excited to read it. I have this memory of being 10-years-old and sitting in the back of my mom's sedan. We were listening to Paul Harvey's "The Rest of the Story" on the radio and he was explaining the origin of a common phrase. I found it so interesting to discover the history behind the phrase and told my mom it would be cool if someone wrote a book about it. I'm not making this up...and yes, I was that much of a nerd.

So, fast forward to 2010. I see on BookSneeze this book by Webb Garrison entitled What's in a Word? I waited expectantly for it to arrive in the mail and opened it as soon as I received the package. Maybe I'm not as much of a nerd now as I was at 10, but I found it to be boring. It wasn't a book I wanted to sit down with for an extended period of time. The first chapter was about technological terminology and it seemed outdated (floppy disks?).

I set it aside, thinking that it would make a really good bathroom reading book or coffee table book.

Then, one night we had a friend over and he picked it up. He skipped around in the book instead of trying to read it cover-to-cover. He spent the next hour sharing with us little tidbits of knowledge that he gained from the author. It was interesting and fun.

So, what do I think of this book? I think that it's slightly outdated, not for someone who's seriously into the study of etymology and, yet, can still provide some entertainment on a quiet night.

**What's In A Word Fascinating Stories Of More Than 350 Everyday Words And PhrasesDisclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their [...] book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255

While studying Spanish in college, I became interested in the little idiomatic phrases (actually insults) that don't really translate into English. Even after years of classes, they're really all I can remember. If I get lost sometime in a Spanish-speaking country, all I could do is just insult the people trying to help me. It would be a disaster.

That's why when I heard about the book. What's in a Word?, I was pretty excited. Unfortunately it didn't take long for my excitement to deflate.

What's in a Word? is a collection of short entries explaining the origins of words or phrases you hear in everyday speech. If you share my fascination with the origin of those odd phrases, this book might be for you more than it was for me.

It isn't so much that the book isn't well written. I found the individual stories for each entry to be sly, witty, and occasionally rather clever. It's just that many of the "fascinating stories" are kind of mundane (In the Groove), obscure (Best Bib and Tucker) or out-of-date (Floppies). An updated version of the first chapter in a revised edition would go a long way to making the book a better read. For now, though, it's short entries means it's the kind of book you'll want to keep in the bathroom for quick reads.

Disclosure of Material Connection:
I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their [...] book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC's "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

What a fun book! Of course, I had no intention of reading this one all the way through. It's more of a reference book. But I read a lot more of it in one sitting than I had intended! The English language can be confusing (that's an understatement!), and it's amusing to dig into some of those "why's," such as, "commencement." "It seems strange that commencement refers to the ceremony at which academic degrees or diplomas are conferred. "Finishment" would seem to be more logical. Yes the word was appropriate earlier, as medieval universities required their graduates to spend a period teaching beginners. Commencement, therefore, did not mean that a man was released from an institution but that he ceased to be a pupil and commenced to teach." A-ha! In addition to being able to browse available words in the index, the book is organized into seventeen chapters or categories. Easy to use for research, speeches, or some fun conversation with friends!

Hours of Fun in Eytomology


In everyday life we use so many phrases and words never knowing the original meaning or source of what we are saying to each other. "What's in a Word" is a fascinating and sometimes hilarious journey into the world of etymology written by Webb Garrison.

My family and I have had a great deal of fun with the interesting origins of some of the words and phrases we use everyday. We have even made a game out of the book, "What's in a Word" at home and play in teams to solve what we think is the origin of the word or phrase. I am surprised that someone has not made a game out of etymology considering how many games there are on the market. The book has been the inspiration for playing the game at home and also the inspiration for looking up the origins of other words or phrases we also use in our everyday language.

I would suggest the reading of this book for anyone who has ever wondered where the phrases and words we use in our everyday language come from and as a fun game to play at home in teams to solve the origins of these words and phrases and looking up other words and phrases that the teams come up with in the progress of the game. "What's in a Word" has give us many hours of fun and enjoyment.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their [...] book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255

As a preacher, I love books like this one to find great stories that help drive home a point. It is amazing to find out the origin of the words that we use everyday and we had no idea where the word comes from. For instance to find out that the word "computer" started back with computing numbers, progressing to the adding machine and then to the computer. Amazing and sometimes useless information but yet, still fun.

More than 300 words that we use every day are explained in this book. I am not a trivia lover but I am someone who likes to have knowledge and this book is packed full of knowledge. Which is why I was fascinated in reading What's in a Word by Webb Garrison. The words explored provided an excellent description of its usage and history.

I found the book great to read a bit at a time. Maybe to lay it by the bed and read a word or two each night or even in the bathroom and I mean that as a good thing. It is not a book that I would ever read from cover to cover in one reading but something that I will refer back to time and time again.

A great resource for speakers and teachers alike. I recommend it as easy and fun reading.

It took me a while to get through this book. When I first saw the book I thought it would be interesting because I always like to know the why and where things come from. I thought it would be cool to know where some common phrases and what is behind the words.

This book was not that good to me and is the major reason it took me so long to finish it. I do like the fact that it is broken up into categories and different areas that words fit in. It is organized well and it is easy to find words or phrases you might be interested in, but just reading to be reading it does not make a good read.

I think it is good to keep like a bathroom book or just around when you want to see if you can find the meaning of a word or phrase.

I admit it. I'm a nerd. To be more specific: I'm a word nerd. That's why "What's in a Word" by Webb Garrison is right up my alley. Perhaps you're like me and have wondered how in the world the letter "X" came to represent a kiss when placed after a signature on a letter. Or maybe someone has warned you to stop "raising cane" because one day you'll have to "pay the piper."

Since reading this book I have assaulted my husband with my new word knowledge. He has been very patient with my continuous "did you know" questions the last few days. I think it's just fascinating.

This isn't the kind of book that you sit and read straight through (although you could if you were so inclined). The book is divided into several different sections (technology, science, religion, etc.). While the book is not a comprehensive study of etymology it is a fun collection of more than 350 words and phrases that we use everyday. There is a helpful index in the back if you're looking for a specific word or phrase.

I would totally recommend this book to any curious cat out there who would like to dazzle their friends and family with their new word knowledge :-)

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Book Sneeze to facilitate this review. The opinions expressed are my own.