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A review by robotswithpersonality
Word Perfect: Etymological Entertainment For Every Day of the Year by Susie Dent
Fun!
I did this in five word bursts, sometimes multiple a day, rather than one a day to keep up with library loans period, but it was still marvelously diverting rather than overwhelming. I can't say I'll remember every word I learned about but I always enjoy etymological entertainment.
A few things I didn't expect: UK (English and Scottish) words I've never heard of.
Some entries actually include multiple words under the heading of one, and some entries fully admit that the original origin can only be guessed at.
Diving into word history also meant getting many snippets of world history in the bargain).
Getting an Englishwoman's expansion on the origin of American English words occasionally made familiar words feel foreign, odd experience, especially where the whole British Empire colonialism in history came into play. Mostly, entries acknowledged the injustices in darker moments of history.
The book's 2020 publication date meant multiple references to COVID and Trump.
I did this in five word bursts, sometimes multiple a day, rather than one a day to keep up with library loans period, but it was still marvelously diverting rather than overwhelming. I can't say I'll remember every word I learned about but I always enjoy etymological entertainment.
A few things I didn't expect: UK (English and Scottish) words I've never heard of.
Some entries actually include multiple words under the heading of one, and some entries fully admit that the original origin can only be guessed at.
Diving into word history also meant getting many snippets of world history in the bargain).
Getting an Englishwoman's expansion on the origin of American English words occasionally made familiar words feel foreign, odd experience, especially where the whole British Empire colonialism in history came into play. Mostly, entries acknowledged the injustices in darker moments of history.
The book's 2020 publication date meant multiple references to COVID and Trump.