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Word Myths David Wilton 2004 Oxford University Press Hardcover Dust Jacket
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Located in: Beaumont, California, United States
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eBay item number:365961686468
Item specifics
- Condition
- Brand New: A new, unread, unused book in perfect condition with no missing or damaged pages. See all condition definitionsopens in a new window or tab
- Unit Quantity
- 1
- Country of Origin
- United States
- ISBN
- 9780195172843
About this product
Product Identifiers
Publisher
Oxford University Press, Incorporated
ISBN-10
0195172841
ISBN-13
9780195172843
eBay Product ID (ePID)
30756959
Product Key Features
Number of Pages
240 Pages
Language
English
Publication Name
Word Myths : Debunking Linguistic Urban Legends
Subject
Linguistics / General, Linguistics / Etymology
Publication Year
2004
Type
Textbook
Subject Area
Language Arts & Disciplines
Format
Hardcover
Dimensions
Item Height
1 in
Item Weight
14.1 Oz
Item Length
5.8 in
Item Width
8.3 in
Additional Product Features
Intended Audience
Trade
LCCN
2004-005598
Reviews
"Think "hot dog" was coined by a New York baseball vendor, or that a certain vulgarity originated as an acronym? Then you need to read this book, which shows that some of the best etymological stories are just tall tales."--Chicago Tribune(10 Best Books About Language, 2004), "Amateur, no make that professional logophile and word origins website editor Wilton corrects the mistakes many of us make in what we believe are the origins of words and phrases. He begins by examining the origins of these fallacies, and why we persist in perpetuating them. After relieving usof any misconceptions about the existence of Dr. Condom, and sorting out that pesky "crap" question, Wilton concludes with ways to find, and enjoy the true origins of words."--Reference and Research Book News, "This fascinating collection of myths about word origins should be a joy to read."--Don McCreary, Department of English, University of Georgia., "Think "hot dog" was coined by a New York baseball vendor, or that a certain vulgarity originated as an acronym? Then you need to read this book, which shows that some of the best etymological stories are just tall tales."--Chicago Tribune (10 Best Books About Language, 2004), "This fascinating collection of myths about word origins should be a joyto read."--Don McCreary, Department of English, University of Georgia., "Detailing the whole fascinating history behind words and phrases that,for one reason or another, have tall tales attached to them.... Buy it for:Armchair academics/cocktail party know-it-alls."--Philadelphia Weekly, "Amateur, no make that professional logophile and word origins websiteeditor Wilton corrects the mistakes many of us make in what we believe are theorigins of words and phrases. He begins by examining the origins of thesefallacies, and why we persist in perpetuating them. Fully armed, he then goes onto expose the "big boys," such as "rule of thumb," and the 500 words Eskimos aresaid to have for "snow." He goes on to settle with the English in a chapterentitled "Posh, Phat Pommies," and then takes on naval destroyers of thelanguage. In following chapters he battles hookers, political correctness, waxtadpoles and jelly donuts. After relieving us of any misconceptions about theexistence of Dr. Condom, and sorting out that pesky "crap" question, Wiltonconcludes with ways to find, and enjoy the true origins of words."--Referenceand Research Library Book News, "Think "hot dog" was coined by a New York baseball vendor, or that a certain vulgarity originated as an acronym? Then you need to read this book, which shows that some of the best etymological stories are just tall tales."--Chicago Tribune (10 Best Books About Language, 2004)"Detailing the whole fascinating history behind words and phrases that, for one reason or another, have tall tales attached to them.... Buy it for: Armchair academics/cocktail party know-it-alls."--Philadelphia Weekly"Think "hot dog" was coined by a New York baseball vendor, or that a certain vulgarity originated as an acronym? Then you need to read this book, which shows that some of the best etymological stories are just tall tales."--Chicago Tribune (10 Best Books About Language, 2004)"Amateur, no make that professional logophile and word origins website editor Wilton corrects the mistakes many of us make in what we believe are the origins of words and phrases. He begins by examining the origins of these fallacies, and why we persist in perpetuating them. After relieving us of any misconceptions about the existence of Dr. Condom, and sorting out that pesky "crap" question, Wilton concludes with ways to find, and enjoy the true origins ofwords."--Reference & Research Book News"This fascinating collection of myths about word origins should be a joy to read."--Don McCreary, Department of English, University of Georgia., "Detailing the whole fascinating history behind words and phrases that, for one reason or another, have tall tales attached to them.... Buy it for: Armchair academics/cocktail party know-it-alls."--Philadelphia Weekly
Dewey Edition
22
Illustrated
Yes
Dewey Decimal
422
Synopsis
Do you "know" that posh comes from an acronym meaning "port out, starboard home"? That "the whole nine yards" comes from (pick one) the length of a WWII gunner's belt; the amount of fabric needed to make a kilt; a sarcastic football expression? That Chicago is called "The Windy City" because of the bloviating habits of its politicians, and not the breeze off the lake? If so, you need this book. David Wilton debunks the most persistently wrong word histories, and gives, to the best of our actual knowledge, the real stories behind these perennially mis-etymologized words. In addition, he explains why these wrong stories are created, disseminated, and persist, even after being corrected time and time again. What makes us cling to these stories, when the truth behind these words and phrases is available, for the most part, at any library or on the Internet? Arranged by chapters, this book avoids a dry A-Z format. Chapters separate misetymologies by kind, including The Perils of Political Correctness (picnics have nothing to do with lynchings), Posh, Phat Pommies (the problems of bacronyming--the desire to make every word into an acronym), and CANOE (which stands for the Conspiracy to Attribute Nautical Origins to Everything). Word Myths corrects long-held and far-flung examples of wrong etymologies, without taking the fun out of etymology itself. It's the best of both worlds: not only do you learn the many wrong stories behind these words, you also learn why and how they are created--and what the real story is., Do you "know" that posh comes from an acronym meaning "port out, starboard home"? That "the whole nine yards" comes from (pick one) the length of a WWII gunner's belt; the amount of fabric needed to make a kilt; a sarcastic football expression? That Chicago is called "The Windy City" because of the bloviating habits of its politicians, and not the breeze off the lake? If so, you need this book. David Wilton debunks the most persistently wrong word histories, and gives, to the best of our actual knowledge, the real stories behind these perennially mis-etymologized words. In addition, he explains why these wrong stories are created, disseminated, and persist, even after being corrected time and time again. What makes us cling to these stories, when the truth behind these words and phrases is available, for the most part, at any library or on the Internet? Arranged by chapters, this book avoids a dry A-Z format. Chapters separate misetymologies by kind, including The Perils of Political Correctness (picnics have nothing to do with lynchings), Posh, Phat Pommies (the problems of bacronyming --the desire to make every word into an acronym), and CANOE (which stands for the Conspiracy to Attribute Nautical Origins to Everything). Word Myths corrects long-held and far-flung examples of wrong etymologies, without taking the fun out of etymology itself. It's the best of both worlds: not only do you learn the many wrong stories behind these words, you also learn why and how they are created--and what the real story is., David Wilton debunks the most persistently wrong word histories, and gives, to the best of our actual knowledge, the real stories behind these perennially mis-etymologized words. In addition, he explains why these wrong stories are created, disseminated, and persist, even after being corrected time and time again. What makes us cling to these stories, when the truth behind these words and phrases is available, for the most part, at any library or on the Internet?
LC Classification Number
PE1584.W55 2004
Illustrated by
Brunetti, Ivan
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- p***k (305)- Feedback left by buyer.Past 6 monthsVerified purchaseFast shipping, great price, wonderful packaging, arrived as pictured and described, excellent seller! My parents went to the Hotel Claremont on their wedding night in 1947! I have the picture, and now I have the folder that goes with it! Many thanks!
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- p***k (305)- Feedback left by buyer.Past 6 monthsVerified purchaseFast shipping, great price, wonderful packaging, arrived as pictured and described, excellent seller! My parents went to the Hotel Claremont on their wedding night in 1947! I have the picture, and now I have the folder that goes with it! Many thanks!
- j**** (899)- Feedback left by buyer.Past monthVerified purchaseBEAUTIFUL CALENDARS FROM A CONSCIENTIOUS SELLER! :) AS DESCRIBED AND SHIPPED FAST IN QUALITY, PROTECTIVE PACKAGING. HELPFUL COMMUNICATION. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS SELLER AND WOULD HAPPILY PURCHASE FROM AGAIN. A++++++++++++++++++++++++
- e***n (10)- Feedback left by buyer.Past 6 monthsVerified purchaseShipped much faster than I thought, and came in great packaging. Was described well, although one of the pages was torn out, but I reckon that could be my mistake. Definitely was priced perfectly ❤️Vintage 20 Ragtime Jazz Classics Piano Solo Music Song Book (#364518295076)