Chronology of Words and Phrases: A Thousand Years

by Linda Flavell and Roger Flavell

Book Overview

After reaching America, Columbus introduced Europe to new foodstuffs such as chilli and chocolate - and the words that described them. Pope Boniface VIII proclaimed the first jubilee in 1300, and... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1856262499
• ISBN13: 9781856262491
• Release Date: January 1999
• Publisher: Kyle Cathie Limited
• Length: 269 Pages
• Weight: 1.55 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Stimulating discussion of English origins

As a previous reviewer stated, this book will disappoint you if you are looking for a definitive list of English word origins. But once you accept its eclectic nature, you will love it, if you have an interest in words.The Flavells trace the history of many common words in an entertaining manner. It is amazing how a word can come from an ancestor which is little like it, or have a current meaning that is very different from its meanings in other times.Highly recommended for lovers of language.

A brief and interesting read

A chronology of historic events, 1066 to present, in the English-speaking world and the words that derive from or were changed by these events. The events and words are rather selective -- it is after all a fairly slim book -- but it is well-written and enjoyable for historians and etymologists alike. A better browser than reference tool and accordingly recommended as such.