- Paperback: 320 pages
- Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt; None edition (Aug 16 1999)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0618002707
- ISBN-13: 978-0618002702
- Product Dimensions: 20.6 x 12.1 x 2.2 cm
- Shipping Weight: 340 g
- Average Customer Review: 2.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
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Product Details |
Product Description
From Amazon
Did you know that the word "juke" (as in "jukebox") comes from the West African language Wolof and means "to make mischief"? Or that the slang expression "bogus" reaches as far back as 1797, when it signified a counterfeit coin? Like the country from which it emerged, American English is a vital multicultural stew of sources and influences. Word by word and year by year, America in So Many Words traces the origins and historical context of America's distinctive additions to the English language, from "canoe" (1555) all the way to "Ebonics" (1997). "O.K.," for instance, appeared in 1838 as part of a Boston fad for abbreviations--in this case, the humorously misspelled "all correct." "Rock and roll," America's equally famous contribution to the world lexicon, was first popularized in 1951 by disc jockey Alan Freed--his way to sidestep a prohibition against playing African American music for white audiences. A fascinating reference you'll read from cover to cover, America in So Many Words beautifully illustrates the ways in which history and vocabulary converge.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From Library Journal
From skunk and canoe in the 16th century to virtual reality and soccer mom in the late 20th century, this year-by-year review highlights words that have had an indelible American origin or meaning. Barnhart and Metcalf, two longtime lexicographers, have selected one particularly significant word for each year and, through anecdotes and historical details, discuss its roots, development, and importance. In 1864, for example, a deadline was an actual line drawn in the dirt to restrict Civil War prisoners ("If you cross this line, you're dead"). The 1891 term country club is juxtaposed with sweatshop in 1892 and connected by the apt little poem: "The golf links lie so near the mill/ That almost every day/ The laboring children can look out/ And see the men at play." Teenager appeared in 1938, followed by DJs, rock'n'roll, and fast food in the 1950s. This entertaining cultural history is recommended for general collections.?Ilse Heidmann, San Marcos, Tex.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Most helpful customer reviews
1.0 out of 5 stars
A sleep inducer...,
By
This review is from: America in So Many Words: Words That Have Shaped America (Hardcover)
I found this book about as exciting as reading last week's weather report.I waded through it but finally gave up a little from the end.Language and the derivation of words and phrases is an interesting and colorful subject;but little was found in this book.There is much more to producing a good book than collecting up a bunch of stuff and sticking it between a couple of covers.Don't waste your "coin" (not covered by the way) as you'll forget what's in it as soon as you read it.
4.0 out of 5 stars
An Interesting Perspective On US History,
By A Customer
This review is from: America in So Many Words: Words That Have Shaped America (Paperback)
This book gives the historical background of over three hundred words that are in some way uniquely American-born. Boring, you say? Never! The entries are arranged chronologically and include some words that you might suspect (underground railroad, motel) and quite a few that may surprise you (hello, bathtub, bug). Each entry provides a fascinating look at the people and times that led to the development of the word. An index lets you look up specific words.
Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta) Amazon.com:
2.5 out of 5 stars (2 customer reviews) 7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
An Interesting Perspective On US History,
By A Customer - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: America in So Many Words: Words That Have Shaped America (Paperback)
This book gives the historical background of over three hundred words that are in some way uniquely American-born. Boring, you say? Never! The entries are arranged chronologically and include some words that you might suspect (underground railroad, motel) and quite a few that may surprise you (hello, bathtub, bug). Each entry provides a fascinating look at the people and times that led to the development of the word. An index lets you look up specific words.
4 of 10 people found the following review helpful
1.0 out of 5 stars
A sleep inducer...,
By J. Guild - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: America in So Many Words: Words That Have Shaped America (Hardcover)
I found this book about as exciting as reading last week's weather report.I waded through it but finally gave up a little from the end.Language and the derivation of words and phrases is an interesting and colorful subject;but little was found in this book.There is much more to producing a good book than collecting up a bunch of stuff and sticking it between a couple of covers.Don't waste your "coin" (not covered by the way) as you'll forget what's in it as soon as you read it.
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