Morris Dictionary of Word and Phrase Origins

by William Morris

Book Overview

The first Edition of the Morris Dictionary of Word and Phrase Origins detailed the fascinating and little known stories behind thousands of words and phrases that we use every day. In this new edition, William and Mary Morris update and expand their classic work to keep pace with our ever changing language. New entries include: New trends --crack, glitch, greenmail, Harrier attack airplanes Foreign terms --falafel, geisha, jihad, paparazzi People...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 006015862X
• ISBN13: 9780060158620
• Release Date: May 1988
• Publisher: Collins Reference
• Length: 688 Pages
• Weight: 2.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 2.0" x 6.1" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Excellent reference for phrase origins

Just a short comment: I own several reference books on phrase etymology. This is the best of the bunch.

I'm fascinated with this book..

This is one of the "funnest books" that I own. I keep it in the bathroom and, hence, refer to it daily. It provides a seemingly endless source of interesting facts and information, tracing the roots of words and phrases that you've been using all your life. Wonder where canape'/hors d'oeuvre or diggs/diggings or dingbat came from? How about snafu, foobar or oompah? What about stuff like "cuttin off your nose to spite your face," so you can "keep up with the Joneses?" If you take to this book like I have, you'll make it a present to your friends, as I have.

As close to "The Definitive Reference" as you'll find

Though I own probably a dozen books on origins of words and phrases, this is usually the first I turn to, and often the last. If I had to discard all but one, there is no question I would choose this one. Not only only is the sheer quantity of definitions impressive, but so is the scholarship that backs up the entries. When an authoritative etymology is not available, or there are conflicting theories, the authors are up front and tell you so. Refusing to just pass on an oft-repeated tale, the authors know enough to provide citations to support or disprove a theory of word or phrase origin. Yet not once are they dry and pedantic; they're good story-tellers as well.