Word Origins: and Their Romantic Stories [Hardcover]

Wilfred Funk (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 11, 1992

From a highly respected name in reference literature, an easy-to-access, dependable sourcebook on the origin and development of thousands of words, each word has been thoroughly checked by ranking linguists and the information is presented in a manner as entertaining as fiction, An Outlet bestseller in previous editions. 432 pages. 6 X 9.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

From a highly respected name in reference literature, an easy-to-access, dependable sourcebook on the origin and development of thousands of words, each word has been thoroughly checked by ranking linguists and the information is presented in a manner as entertaining as fiction, An Outlet bestseller in previous editions. 432 pages. 6 X 9.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 432 pages
• Publisher: Bell Publishing Company; Reprint, first as such edition (August 11, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0517265745
• ISBN-13: 978-0517265741
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #235,531 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

155 of 158 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Every Word has a Story, March 3, 2001

By 

Richard La Fianza (San Bernardino) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Word Origins: and Their Romantic Stories (Hardcover)

A lot of hard work and passion went into this book, and it shows. Mr. Funk has written a classic book on word origins which is fun for any scrabble lover, scholar, or souled individual.

Arranged into topics from business to war to flowers, the author explains the most likely origins behind everyday words and expressions. "Laconic," for example, means brief and blunt. Its origins, more than 2600 years ago, take it back to the Greek Wars. The Laconians, when told by an ambassador that "if we come to your city we will raze the walls and kill everyone." The Laconians reply? "If."

Or take the origins of the word "bread." Originally it meant a piece. With time, it came to mean the whole loaf. By reading through "word origins" you will learn that many words were named after people or places. Other words are corruptions of other languages. Some words are simple "borrowed" from other languages. (called "loan words," but who gives them back?) Some other words have origins lost in time. I enjoyed reading "Word Origins" and go back to it, again and again, when I am curious about a word or phrase. If you have any interest in this area, you should enjoy this book. Well done, a good read.

34 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars History and Words, January 2, 2005

By 

Dew - See all my reviews

This review is from: Word Origins: and Their Romantic Stories (Hardcover)

I love books like this. If you are like me and your reading habits range from the past to the present, then this book would be of interest to you.

This book is arranged according to themes, such as politics, religion, history, cooking, scientific names, proper names, and sports. Although the book is by theme, I do prefer a book on this subject to be alphabetical.

Some examples:

Alimony originates as a term that literally means to Eat Money
Tart was a term of endearment
Wench was a name for a child

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars If you love the English language, you'll love this book., October 8, 2004

By 

Marci Baun (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Word Origins: and Their Romantic Stories (Hardcover)

"Every word was once a poem. Each began as a picture. Our language is made up of terms that were all originally figures of speech." - Wilfred Funk

This is how the book begins -- a fitting one for something that exudes passion for and tells stories of the English language. This book, by Funk, a lexicographer, editor, author and president of Funk & Wagnalls before his death in 1965, entertains and educates. Words or sayings you think you know take on whole new meanings.

The book is set up in chapters of words that relate to each other like "Where Words About Human Beings Come From", "Sources of Words of Attitudes and Emotions", and "Where Animal Names Come From". The chapters are broken up into sections: intro, alphabetical listing of words, and, in some chapters, miscellaneous words not included in the alphabetical listing. When Funk includes the miscellaneous words, he often connects one word to the next, much like James Burke links science, historical events and innovative ideas in the famous TV series Connections. However, on a few occasions, Funk is not always as adept in his explanations as Burke. In these instances, the explanations have left me with more questions than answers.

However, if you are like me and love the English language and are curious about its origins, Word Origins is an excellent place to begin. While I may have found a few things that disappointed me, overall, I was glad to add this book to my library.