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Words of a Feather: A Humorous Puzzlement of Etymological Pairs

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"Words of a Feather" is well written, fun to read and gives an insight into how words having a common root have developed into words with quite different meanings.

Not only does the author show words with now divergent meanings, but he also tells amusing stories about how this came about. For a good example look at "maneuver" and "manure", or "rectitude" and "rectum".

In addition, for the reader wishing to go further in etymology, an extensive list of books and web sites is provided.

A real hoot!

Book Review: Words of a Feather

I recently spent a pleasant Saturday morning reading "Words of a Feather: A Humorous Puzzlement of Etymological Pairs" by Murray Suid. Suid is the author of one of my favorite writing reference books, Demonic Mnemonics, and his latest work is another volume that will tickle writers and word lovers alike.

Words of a Feather examines words that have similar origins but have, over time and usage, drifted apart from each other. Sometimes the result of Suid's couplings are enlightening, such as "menu" and "minute." The book reveals that they share the Latin root of "minitus;" a small unit of time. In France, a "menu de repas," was a small description of foods provided to customers in order to spare the waiter's time in taking orders. From there, we arrive at "menu."

Some of the word pairs are suprising, such as "fornicate" and "furnace," which are related because Ancient Roman prostitutes used to look for customers near the arch-shaped ovens, or "fornus," where bread was baked and offered for sale.

Occasionally the word couplets confirm what you always suspected, but lacking Suid's yen for linguistic archeology and sheer persistance, have never investigated for yourself. For example, who hasn't at least noticed that "shirt" and "skirt" are very similar? In Words of a Feather you'll learn that shirt derives from the Old English word "scyrte" for tunic, whose style was similar to a short coat. The word skirt comes from the Old Norman "skyrte," also referring to clothing, but in the peasent style of a long shirt. From there, Suid goes on to explain how the terms apply to today's styles.

In addition to using research and witty observations, Suid also brings words together with his own intuition. For example, he relates the modern "blog" with "log," which derives from a ship's "logbook" where sailors kept record of the vessel's speed. So-called because the speed was measured by how quickly the ship passed a log floating in the water.

This is a book that is best consumed, if you'll pardon the metaphor, in small pecks. Its compact size makes it easy to carry--it would be a great book to bring on your next flight--and the page design is attractive and easy to skim. There are a number of delightful illustrations, too, but sometimes they're not next to the words they are intended to enhance, which diminishes their impact. I'd also consider adding an index to make it easier to find specific words. You'll want to do this because you're likely to find facts to share with your friends, some of whom will certainly ask for documentation of your amazing claims.

But as enjoyable and entertaining as the book is, my favorite parts appear on its final pages. The annotated list of references, many of which are online, is quite usefu. But the hidden gem is a fifteen page chapter called "word factory." It's a wonderfully organized and informative discussion of etymology and word-making processes. I wish this had been at the front of the book, but it is somewhat academic so I can understand why it wasn't. Placing it there would undermine the book's subtitle declaration of being humourous. However, I think reading Word Factory first will greatly enhance your enjoyment of the fun parts. It might feel like eating your vegatables before dessert, but that too, is a good idea.

Words of a Feather is funny, esoteric, and informative. It doesn't disappoint in any regard, and it gives you both the appetite and tools to do some word sleuthing on your own. I think its a worthy addition to your library.

Words of a Feather - A Humorous Puzzlement of Etymological Pairs, in case you were wondering, is for people who like to play with words. Or who like the play of words. Pairs of words. Pairs of words you wouldn't think belong paired up. Like, for example, computer, and reputation. I extract:

"It's deliciously apt that the tarnishing of his reputation (HAL, the computer in 2001) is what pushes the computer over the edge, for both reputation and computer trace back to the Latin phrase putare, "to reckon," a word that encompasses solving mathematical and moral problems, implied in the phrase 'day of reckoning.'"

"Ah," you probably are saying to yourself, "how apt, how deliciously apt."

If in fact you find such aptness delicious, Words of a Feather will prove to be a conceptual banquet of conversation-worthy tidbits. "Which reminds me," you might say in answer to the question "why are you late for dinner," "did you know that senate and senile are etymologically related, and that it wasn't until the mid-nineteenth century that senile acquired the meaning of 'weak or infirm from age.'"

Written by Murray Suid, author of over 25 books, including Demonic Mnemonics - Eight Hundred Spelling Tricks for Eight Hundred Tricky Words, and an old friend of mine when I was working in Philadelphia some 35 years ago, the book reflects a deep love of language and learning, and, most significantly, a thorough appreciation for the incongruous.

Page after page of entertaining reflections on connections between words that simply shouldn't belong together - coronation and coroner, mercenary and mercy, stupendous and stupid - Words of a Feather is playful enough to make you want to flock to your local bookseller.

Should you need more incentive, wing your way to the Words of a Feather website.

This book is great "bathroom reading." The articles are short and mildly humorous, and it's chock full of fodder for cocktail chatter. True bibliophiles might want more detail, but the information is easily digestible and thus will appeal to a wide audience.

"Words of a Feather" is an entertaining little volume of short essays (none more than a page long) on pairs of words -- sometimes wildly disparate words that would seem unlikely to have anything in common -- that share related etymologies. Unlike a lot of books on word histories, it's written in a very light, conversational style without any dense academese; in fact, "etymologies" might be the most technical term used in the entire book.

Because of the short-essay format, it's a book that one can dip into briefly in one's spare moments and learn something, without necessarily feeling forced to wade in deeply for long stretches. And, because of its compact physical dimensions (a reasonably convenient size for purses, briefcases, backpacks and many coat pockets), "Words of a Feather" could be an educational and entertaining way to pass some spare time while strap-hanging or sitting in waiting rooms.

Quintessential Suid: intelligent, thoughtful, finely crafted, infused with a delicately-dry, cultured wit, and marinated in a child-like, exuberant curiosity.

Then, dusted lightly with an unspoken intent to inform, entertain, and empower.

'Tis a modest book written to quietly awaken, illuminate, and freshen the way we all see, hear, and use our living, fluid language. Simply "relightful".

Stan Friedman - art photographer
Santa Monica, CA