Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
Read this in a linguistics course at Southeastern many years ago. I wasn’t expecting our “textbook” to be so entertaining. Bill Bryson has a very fun way of presenting information. I really enjoyed reading the differing names for like things across the country as well as how things came to be called what they are. It has been a very long time now since I read this book but I still remember much of it and would recommend it to anyone interested in the topics presented.
funny
informative
lighthearted
slow-paced
funny
informative
fast-paced
An informal history not only of the English language, but of the United States as well.
A while ago, I read The Mother Tongue by Bill Bryson, and having majored in linguistics in college, it was something I could definitely get my head around. It was fascinating and eye opening, and I wondered if Bryson had written anything else on the subject. When I realized that this book existed, I knew that I would have to read it eventually. But, let's get one thing straight. These are two different books with different focuses. Whereas The Mother Tongue was a book about English with some history thrown in, Made in America is really a short-hand history book (a very intriguing and page-turning one at that) with the history of English woven into it. It was just not what I was expecting at first, but found it to be a great way to get my history fix while also learning about language.
There's plenty of intriguing details about how certain words came about due to any number of factors. For one, you can look at the ending of a product (-orama, -omatic,) and figure out the date when something was made. -Ex endings such as Kleenex and Pyrex date from the 1920s and 30s, whereas -master (mixmaster, Toastmaster) are dated from the 1930s and 40s era. Like in all Bryson writing, he is full of interesting tidbits (changed from titbits due to the lasciviousness of the first syllable). But like all Bryson writing, there is A LOT of information. That's probably why it took me so long to read through because, as interesting as it was, there was too much information for me to absorb that I had to read something else in the meantime.
So take it as you like. If you love language and history and all sorts of information, then this is something to check out. Also note that it is a little bit dated, (published in the mid 90s), so make sure to double check the present real world when he says that the Sears Tower is the tallest structure in the world (not even in the top ten now) or that Who Framed Roger Rabbit has the longest end credits due to all the animators that worked on it (ending credits continue to get longer and longer). If you're up for the challenge, check it out!
A while ago, I read The Mother Tongue by Bill Bryson, and having majored in linguistics in college, it was something I could definitely get my head around. It was fascinating and eye opening, and I wondered if Bryson had written anything else on the subject. When I realized that this book existed, I knew that I would have to read it eventually. But, let's get one thing straight. These are two different books with different focuses. Whereas The Mother Tongue was a book about English with some history thrown in, Made in America is really a short-hand history book (a very intriguing and page-turning one at that) with the history of English woven into it. It was just not what I was expecting at first, but found it to be a great way to get my history fix while also learning about language.
There's plenty of intriguing details about how certain words came about due to any number of factors. For one, you can look at the ending of a product (-orama, -omatic,) and figure out the date when something was made. -Ex endings such as Kleenex and Pyrex date from the 1920s and 30s, whereas -master (mixmaster, Toastmaster) are dated from the 1930s and 40s era. Like in all Bryson writing, he is full of interesting tidbits (changed from titbits due to the lasciviousness of the first syllable). But like all Bryson writing, there is A LOT of information. That's probably why it took me so long to read through because, as interesting as it was, there was too much information for me to absorb that I had to read something else in the meantime.
So take it as you like. If you love language and history and all sorts of information, then this is something to check out. Also note that it is a little bit dated, (published in the mid 90s), so make sure to double check the present real world when he says that the Sears Tower is the tallest structure in the world (not even in the top ten now) or that Who Framed Roger Rabbit has the longest end credits due to all the animators that worked on it (ending credits continue to get longer and longer). If you're up for the challenge, check it out!
Very educational in many areas. Demonstrates just how much we can learn about people by the words they say.
On Audio.
Yet another factual Bill Bryson book that I enjoyed. Excellent reader (William Roberts) who has positively added to the experience of the book. Fascinating look at the history of America, coupled with the origin of familiar and oft-used words and phrases.
Yet another factual Bill Bryson book that I enjoyed. Excellent reader (William Roberts) who has positively added to the experience of the book. Fascinating look at the history of America, coupled with the origin of familiar and oft-used words and phrases.
Well that was lovely. I first read this book a decade ago - it's amazing how much I've forgotten! I welcome distraction from my deadline, and absolutely fascinating.
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
funny
informative
lighthearted
slow-paced
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racial slurs
