Barnhart Concise Dictionary of Etymology (Hardcover)

~ Robert K. Barnhart (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"In quantitative terms--number of entries and fullness of treatment--the Barnhart dictionary appears to be the best etymological work now availablle." -- -- Language

"[A] combination of readability with scholarship...of exceptional quality..." -- -- American Library Association Reference Books Bulletin

Product Description

As all lovers of language know, words are the source of our very understanding of ourselves and the world around us.

Often, however, our use of language is so automatic that we neglect to consider where those words came from and what they assume. What are the implications, beyond the simple dictionary definitions, of using words such as privilege, hysteria, seminal, and gyp?

Browsing through the pages of The Barhart Concise Dictionary of Etymology is likeexploring the historical, political, and rhetorical wonderland of our linguistic heritage. We see the evolution of ideas, as rootword connections that now seem arbitrary are traced to schools of thought from the past. We also find an opportunity to examine how the sometimes backwards, sometimes hilarious, and sometimes illuminating ideologies built into our language affect our modern thinking.

Written in a fresh, accessible style, this book provides the derivations of over 21,000 English-language words without resorting to the use of abbreviations, symbols, or technical terminology. Drawing on the most current American scholarship, and focusing onthe core words in contemporary English, The Barnhart Concise Dictionary of Etymology is both a diverting browse and a thinking person's Bible.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 944 pages
• Publisher: Collins Reference; 1 edition (September 15, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0062700847
• ISBN-13: 978-0062700841
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.9 x 2.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #88,683 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

92 of 96 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A splendid dictionary, but hardly a real book., June 2, 2001

By	tepi "tepi" - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

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THE BARNHART CONCISE DICTIONARY OF ETYMOLOGY. Edited by Robert K. Barnhart. 916 pp. New York : Harper Collins Publishers, 1995.

Most readers who enjoy poking around in the histories of words will probably like this dictionary. Printed in a tiny, though extremely clear and readable font, and with its 916 pages of double-columns, it will provide many interesting hours of browsing and research to all lovers of language who like to know where the words we use came from, their evolution, and something of the submerged though potent freight of their connotations.

As might have been expected from a 'Concise Dictionary,' the derivations, which happily avoid the use of pesky abbreviations and symbols, are themselves fairly concise. Although some are much longer, most of them seem to run to an average of about a hundred or so words, but they should be found adequate enough for ordinary purposes. It quickly resolved a question I had about the word "ether" in Emily Dickinson, one that had stumped other etymological dictionaries.

Predictably, however, and like other current etymological dictionaries, the Barnhart Concise doesn't yet seem to have recognized the existence of the Sumerian language. For the word MAMMA (page 453), for example, we are given only the standard explanation and European cognates.

But, all in all, the Barnhart Concise succeeds admirably in achieving what it sets out to do : to give us concise though detailed and readable accounts of most of the words - 21,000 in all - that we are likely to be hunting for information about. The only real problem that I can see with this dictionary is that it isn't really a book, but is instead what the docile modern 'unit of consumption' has been conned into accepting as a book.

In contrast to the high-quality paper and excellent typography, the binding is two bits of cardboard covered, not with a handsome and nice-feeling cloth, but with rather ugly black paper. Who would have thought that a small piece of cotton or synthetic had become too costly for modern man to afford? As for the spine, instead of being stitched and durable and making for a book that will last and will open flat, it is simply - YUCK! - glued. I wonder when it will start to dry out and crack?

Curious that after a century of 'Progress,' and with our escalating spoliation of the planet, and our massive, advanced, and computerized technology, technology which has considerably reduced the cost of manufacturing a book, we seem to have become poorer than the Victorians and earlier folks, most of whose books were beautifully produced and are still as good as new. Still, I suppose someone must pay for those monogrammed driveways....

Any 'book' which comes in such a wretched and inferior binding, hardly deserves to be rated at more than a single star. But because the Concise Barnhart is one of the best dictionaries of its kind, and because of its legible text, I've given it four but may not be quite so charitable in future. After all, neither you nor I are mere 'units of consumption.' We also have feelings, one of which can be disappointment. Or am I the only person left who still likes things to be real?

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful and Informative, October 1, 1999

By	James Igoe (NY, NY) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Unlike most etymology disctionaries, its definitions are unabbreviated, informative and easy to read. The paper is a heavy and colored ecru. This is a truly beautiful book!

Please note, that my assessment of the binding - it's stitched on mine - was made two years ago, hence the difference between tepi's (above) evaluation and mine.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Barnhart's... The Life of Your Next Party!, March 20, 2002

By	britlitgal (PA) - See all my reviews

Barnhart's is a word-lover's dream. I enjoy taking it off the shelf and flipping aimlessly to a page, just to see what I'll learn next. As a reference it is very useful and thorough (although there are no pronunciation guides, as in a normal dictionary). As interesting reading, it is even more promising. Learn the history of such words as: freckle, pagoda, and carcass! One drawback: it's just not very portable. If Barnhart's is to be your constant companion, check to see if there's a paperback or desk size available.