Hayes, Justin Cord.

The unexpected evolution of language : discover the surprising etymology of everyday words f/ Justin Cord Hayes. - Avon, Mass. : Adams Media, 2012. - 238 p. ; 19 cm.

LITERARY & LINGUISTIC REFERENCE WORKS. Time has done a number on the English language. Not so long ago, a slur was just mud and being nice meant that you didn't actually know what was going on. But over the years, even some of the most common words we use have done complete 360s. With "The Encyclopedia of Modern Meanings", word-lovers can rediscover definitions long-forgotten, including: Thrift, n. personal wealth; Loose, v. to release an arrow; Manufacture, v. to make by hand; Doom, n. a law, judgment, or decree; and, Bimbo, n. tough guy, man's man.

9781440542787 (pbk.) 1440542783 (pbk.) 9781440542794 (ebook) 1440542791 (ebook)

2012024255


English language--Etymology.
English language--History.

PE1574 / .H39 2012

422