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remocpi's review
3.0
Curioso libro sobre el origen de algunas palabras que derivan de un nombre propio, de alguien en concreto. Desde el consabido Sandwich, creado por el duque de Sandwich para no tener que levantarse de la mesa y poder comer mientras trabajaba/jugaba a las cartas (hay dos versiones de la historia), nuestro viejo y querido al-Khwarizmi y sus algoritmos (que no logaritmos), el sorprendente número de personas que han dado nombre a flores (Empezando por Louise-Anton de Bouganville, Mr. Garden el de las gardenias, Joel Poinsett el de las ponsetias...). Hay un montón de palabras de uso común que vienen de un nomber propio.
Muchas de las palabras son sólo de uso común en inglés, por lo que al lector español se la trae un poco al pairo, pero otras, muchas, nos llenarán de ese asombro breve cuando descubrimos lo inesperado.
Muy entretenido.
Muchas de las palabras son sólo de uso común en inglés, por lo que al lector español se la trae un poco al pairo, pero otras, muchas, nos llenarán de ese asombro breve cuando descubrimos lo inesperado.
Muy entretenido.
kathleenitpdx's review
3.0
I am fascinated with the etymology of words. So this book about words that have come from names caught my eye. It is a light-hearted and humorous look at the people behind some American English words. Some of the humor is sophomoric like the comment that solon is not used often because it rhymes with colon. I particularly liked the explanation of where the English names for the days of the week come from and why some are different than the Romance language day names--something that has puzzled me for many years.
I didn't find the notes at the back of the book until I was about a third of the way through the book. In some cases the regular entries were incomplete and puzzling without the notes. I am not sure why the author chose to put some information in the notes--maybe to make the main entries snappier. I would have been happier with most of that information in the body of the book rather than having to flip back and forth.
Some of the best information is in the appendices--don't miss them.
I didn't find the notes at the back of the book until I was about a third of the way through the book. In some cases the regular entries were incomplete and puzzling without the notes. I am not sure why the author chose to put some information in the notes--maybe to make the main entries snappier. I would have been happier with most of that information in the body of the book rather than having to flip back and forth.
Some of the best information is in the appendices--don't miss them.
luann's review
3.0
I happened across this book while searching for something else in my public library's card catalog. I couldn't resist the title and immediately put it on hold. I found it to be just what I expected - a fun and humorous look at "the forgotten people behind everyday words." John Bemelmans Marciano shares information in a light and enjoyable way. I learned quite a few bits of information that I hadn't known before, and I even learned a few new words.
The danger with this type of book is that you are suddenly armed with all sorts of trivial facts to share with friends and co-workers. Be careful! They might not be quite as interested to learn all about how the graham cracker got its name (invented by a Presbyterian minister named Sylvester Graham to help people avoid more stimulating foods), or a run-down on the many hats that are eponymous - named after people, characters in plays, a title of a play, a horse race, and even a poem (bowler, derby, fedora, trilby, stetson, havelock, busby, and tam-o-shanter). As you can see, even a little bit of this information goes a long way! :)
I did at times feel like the information given just skimmed the surface and was a bit short. I would have liked more detailed information for the words and people I found interesting. But I didn't feel that way about each word. So this is also a nice book for introducing you to some great bits of history, words, and people which can then act as a springboard to searching for additional information.
Note: He did tend to emphasize some words dealing with adult-type subjects, so I wouldn't recommend this book for children.
The danger with this type of book is that you are suddenly armed with all sorts of trivial facts to share with friends and co-workers. Be careful! They might not be quite as interested to learn all about how the graham cracker got its name (invented by a Presbyterian minister named Sylvester Graham to help people avoid more stimulating foods), or a run-down on the many hats that are eponymous - named after people, characters in plays, a title of a play, a horse race, and even a poem (bowler, derby, fedora, trilby, stetson, havelock, busby, and tam-o-shanter). As you can see, even a little bit of this information goes a long way! :)
I did at times feel like the information given just skimmed the surface and was a bit short. I would have liked more detailed information for the words and people I found interesting. But I didn't feel that way about each word. So this is also a nice book for introducing you to some great bits of history, words, and people which can then act as a springboard to searching for additional information.
Note: He did tend to emphasize some words dealing with adult-type subjects, so I wouldn't recommend this book for children.
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