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Product Description
Review
"The layout is clear, didactic, and the lexicographical-cum-etymological information is presented in an impeccably concise way."--Regional Language Studies--Newfoundland
`A model of its kind - all that anyone other than a specialist needs to know about words.' Daily Telegraph
`A model of its kind - all that anyone other than a specialist needs to know about words.' Daily Telegraph
Book Description
Where did the words bungalow and assassin derive? What did nice mean in the Middle Ages? How were adder, anger, and umpire originally spelt? The answers can be found in this essential companion to any popular dictionary. With over 17,000 entries, this is the most authoritative and comprehensive guide to word origins available in paperback. Based on The Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology, the principal authority on the origin and development of English words, it contains a wealthof information about our language and its history.
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Most helpful customer reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Perfect for the nonscholar,
By
This review is from: The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology (Paperback)
I agree with the earlier reviewers that this isn't the most thorough etymological dictionary available. But let's face it: most of us don't need weightier and more expensive resources than this one. In the ten years that I've owned the ODEE, I've used it hundreds of times, and only occasionally have I found it wanting. As someone who does a good bit of scriptural exegesis, I generally turn to the ODEE before dragging out the Greek lexicon or Latin dictionary. It can usually point me in the direction I need to go. A wonderful resource that should be on the shelf of anyone who loves books and words, especially since our fastfood culture has bred so much forgetfulness of the deep meaning of words.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great, portable and does the job,
By
This review is from: The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology (Paperback)
I respect the reviews that this is by no means the last word in word origins. However, I have gotten more use out of this book than the other 5 dictionaries behind simply because I can bring it everywhere. Though some may find this a bit odd, I basically bring it on vacation as a second book -- especially in Europe where questions about them seem to crop up. So many more words will get hunted with this book because it will be handy when you need it.
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Little Too Concise to be Useful,
By A Customer
This review is from: The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology (Paperback)
Perhaps the main use of etymology references is to learn about words and how they have evolved into current usage. A good etymology reference like the Chambers / Barnhart will track the history of a word right back to its Proto-IndoEuropean roots. This is also what the Onions Oxford Etymology does. Now it is clear the Oxford didn't want to cannibalize sales of its classic Etymology Dictionary which defines about 25,000 words. This concise Etymology is a very large selection from the full Oxford, updated with some materials from the 2nd OED. What is missing in many of the etymologies is the word's full story. So, we have a good book with a decent collection that is not quite complete. IF you're looking for a good etymology at the same price, you'd do better with Ayto's Dictionary of Word Origins - only 8,000 words but provides a much more thorough treatment. If you're willing to splurge, the best etymology is the Barnhart, re-released as the Chambers Dictionary of Etymology. You get over 60,000 words, drawn almost entirely from US sources.
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