This practical introduction to word history investigates every
aspect of where words come from and how they change. Philip Durkin,
chief etymologist of the Oxford English Dictionary, shows how
different types of evidence can shed light on the myriad ways in
which words change in form and meaning. He considers how such
changes can be part of wider linguistic processes, or be influenced
by a complex mixture of social and cultural factors. He illustrates
every point with a wide range of fascinating examples.
Dr. Durkin investigates folk etymology and other changes which
words undergo in everyday use. He shows how language families are
established, how words in different languages can have a common
ancester, and the ways in which the latter can be distinguished
from words introduced through language contact. He examines the
etymologies of the names of people and places. His focus is on
English but he draws many examples from languages such as French,
German, and Latin which cast light on the pre-histories of English
words.
The Oxford Guide to Etymology is reliable, readable, instructive,
and enjoyable. Everyone interested in the history of words will
value this account of an endlessly fascinating subject.
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