The Story of Words - The Origins of 750 English Words

Author: (USA) Rosalie Baker
United States / USA
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-10-01
Features: The Stories Behind Words, Origins of 750 English Words. Words can be elusive! Exploring the meaning and origins of words can help us communicate better with each other, deepen our understanding of language, and make the process enjoyable. It elaborates on the stories and origins of words, provides categorized introductions, and features humorous illustrations that vividly bring the content to life, opening the door to reading. It will take you on an interesting journey to the very source of language. From this book, you will discover that words often carry extraordinary histories that are astonishing. For example, take the words "candidate" or "senate." My wife used the word "close" the other day to describe the stuffy weather. This meaning of "close" became widely adopted in 1553 and, although still used today, is no longer common. We can use "close with a dollar" to describe someone as cheap, a skinflint, or stingy. You can see how closely the second meaning of this word aligns with people's current understanding of it; however, linking the word to meanings like describing weather or indoor environments seems a bit forced. Words can be used to express many different meanings.