etymology

Explains the origins of over 21,000 words from the English language.

Examines the unique relationship between J.R.R. Tolkien's early professional involvement in the compilation of the "Oxford English Dictionary" and the linguistic creativity that he demonstrated in his other writings.

Presents the comprehensive history behind the first edition in 1928 of the Oxford English Dictionary, and describes the numerous conflicts about what should and should not be included, controversies over meanings, definitions, and pronunciations, and struggles to determine correct usage of some words.

Contains alphabetically arranged entries that explore the origins, sense development, and social history of over 12,000 English language words.

Discusses the origin of words, the development of language, and the light that words shed on the history of mankind.

Guide to souces and original meanings of expressions taken from the classics.

"This course of thirty-six lectures introduces the student to the history of the English language, from its origins as a dialect of the Germanic-speaking peoples, through the literary and cultural documents of its 1500 year span, to the state of American speech of the present day".

Provides historical and explanatory background on the "Oxford English Dictionary"; explains how to use it, providing a guide to the parts of its main entries; and presents an A-Z companion to the "OED," covering its history, the people involved in its creation, its terminology and methods, and facts and figures. Also includes a chronology and a bibliography.

Describes the origins of more than 350 everyday words and phrases from the English language.