etymology

Discusses the origins and meaning of over four hundred curious expressions and sayings used in everyday speech.

Explores the origins of over four hundred expressions, such as "Knock on wood" or "Every dog has his day.".

Explains the origins of more than fifty common phrases.

Tells the stories behind over one thousand animal words and expressions used in everyday language; grouped in nine animal categories including cats, dogs, domestic fowl, farm animals, wild mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians, insects, and marine animals.

Takes a whimsical look at the naming of everyday things, from people, to cars, animals, and places, and discusses their origins.

A collection of stories about the origins of everyday words.

Traces the history of over nine thousand English words and phrases, including slang, proverbs, plant and animal names, place-names, phrases from literature, nicknames, historical expressions, and foreign-language expressions.

Discusses the origins of words that have been added to the English language by Americans, featuring one representative word for each year from 1751 through 1998, and includes examples from earlier years beginning with the first English-speaking settlements in 1555.

Comprehensive reference to the origins of nearly 1,200 words used in the English language.