The Oxford Dictionary of Foreign Words and Phrases

Book Overview

If foreign words and phrases are your "bete noire", here is a superb reference that offers coverage of over 8,000 foreign words and phrases that are in regular use in English today.
Readers will find clear definitions of words such as "fandango," "futon," "falsetto," "basmati," "bistro," "nouvelle cousine"--and many other words found in everyday speech as well as in musical direction, the arts, food, medicine, science (such as the very different meanings of "gamma" in astronomy, chemistry, physics, and photography), literature and belles-lettres. As one would expect in a language as global as English, the Dictionary draws words from a wide array of languages, including Afrikaans, Chinese, Dutch, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hindustani, Italian, Japanese, Latin, Russian, and Turkish. The entries are browsable, but also authoritative, with detailed information on each word or phrase, including any alternative spellings, the date of the word's introduction into English, its language or origin and original spelling, its definition, and notes on usage and other points of interest. The etymologies are often curious: "ukelele," for instance, is Hawaiian for "jumping flea" and "yakuza," the Japanese word for "gangster," literally means "8-9-3" (the worst possible hand in a popular gambling game). Quotations have been liberally sprinkled throughout to illustrate how the words are used in context.
Here then is a book that is "sine qua non" (absolutely indispensable) for all reference shelves.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0198631596
• ISBN13: 9780198631590
• Release Date: November 1997
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
• Length: 528 Pages
• Weight: 1.63 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.5" x 8.6" x 5.7"

Customer Reviews

gave as gift

I gave this book to my mother who loves words. She absolutely loves it.

The one to Own

Although not arranged by countries of word orgin, as is true of smaller dictionaries such as Le Mot Juste, this is a full-fledge dictionary of foreign words, that goes well beyond just cognates and borrowed words across national boundaries. It also gives some entomological information and pronunciation diphthongs as well as occasional synonyms and cognates. The best of a good lot. Five Stars.

Super for language lovers-

All lovers of language should consider purchasing this dictionary of foreign words & phrases. Without a doubt you will be enlightened by the wealth of information it has to offer. English is a widely spoken language with both native, second and third language speakers and many words and phrases used in English come from other languages especially French and Latin. This book provides many examples of these words and foreign phrases used in everyday speech as well as an explanation of the meaning and source language. This a recommended purchase and a very informative easy to read dictionary.

When English is not just English

This book is an ideal reference for those of us who need to make sense of the foreign (non English) words and phrases encountered in English. Examples include chaebol (Korean: a large business conglomerate); nebbish (Yiddish: a nobody); cum laude (Latin: with praise) and gung-ho (Chinese: work together). Each of these words has been adopted within English with similar - but not always identical - meanings. There are some 8000 examples of words and phrases from over 40 languages in this book. Recommended for those who are interested in seeing practical examples of how English evolves to encompass offerings from other languages. Jennifer Cameron-Smith

A Great Help

If you find yourself skipping words and phrases in articles and books that you sense everyone but you understands this is an excellent addition to your dictionary collection. After checking a number of similar reference books at the library I chose this one because it tells a little history of word/phrase usage in addition to just a translation, this allows you to put it into better context.