etymology

Investigates the origins and history of commonly used phrases, place names, and everyday expressions.

Contains entries that explain the origins of everyday phrases; grouped in eighteen categories, including religion, the working day, love and death, and country wisdom.

A dictionary devoted to animal metaphors such as "pigs in the blanket" and "fly the coop," organized alphabetically by metaphor.

Alphabetically arranged entries provides the meanings and histories of more then ten thousand names.

Traces the history of the science of etymology, with examples of proven word histories demonstrating how the origins of words are traced.

Relates the origins and contemporary meaning of more than 550 familiar words and phrases such as "eat crow," "scapegoat," and "tar and feather," each followed by a list of references; arranged alphabetically, with a subject index.

Traces the history of more than 750 words in order of their entrance into the English language, thuse unfolding the intriguing story of the culture from which the language arose.

Explains the origins of over 21,000 words from the English language.

Examines the unique relationship between J.R.R. Tolkien's early professional involvement in the compilation of the "Oxford English Dictionary" and the linguistic creativity that he demonstrated in his other writings.