Wordsmith.org: the magic of words

Wordsmith Talk

About Us | What's New | Search | Site Map | Contact Us  

Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2
#3748 06/28/00 07:10 PM
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 1
G
stranger
OP Offline
stranger
G
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 1
Does anyone know of a good book of word derivations?


#3749 06/29/00 09:04 AM
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 444
B
addict
Offline
addict
B
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 444
Not personally - I tend to look in my dictionary which is a Shorter Oxford, but if you go to Amazon.com and type 'etymology' in the search engine a fair mass of books come up. You can always take the list to a decent bookstore if you want to see the real thing, which is how I use Amazon anyway.


#3750 06/29/00 11:56 AM
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613
Welcome, goodward--
I saw on Anu's home page that he gives Project Gutenberg as a site for books online. Haven't had time to check it out
myself, yet. Hope it helps. Let us hear, hear?


#3751 06/30/00 09:49 AM
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,065
B
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
B
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,065
My favourite is Eric Partridge's "Origins" -- or it was until my father borrowed it.

Bingley


Bingley
#3752 07/12/00 04:30 AM
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1
E
stranger
Offline
stranger
E
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1
I too have "Origins" by Partridge, and use it frequently, but good as it may be I would caution against depending entirely on a single source. Each etymologist will have been influenced by his own experience. A variety of references will help in building a more nuanced understanding of the language. Depending on a single source makes you akin to the university science student who has been careful to avoid any courses in the arts or humanities.


#3753 07/13/00 01:34 AM
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 6,511
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 6,511
Aside from Partridge, you can't beat the O.E.D. I also like the American Heritage. I think those three make a good combination, off-line-wise, anyway.


#3754 07/13/00 09:27 PM
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,094
J
old hand
Offline
old hand
J
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,094
In the same line, what would you consider the best dictionary out there?


#3755 07/14/00 07:34 AM
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 679
R
addict
Offline
addict
R
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 679
> In the same line, what would you consider the best dictionary out there?

I've been using the OED since I was knee-high and I can't recommend it too highly. Plenty of other good ones too but that's the one I turn to in times of forgetfulness or ignorance. Makes a good read in its own right, too.


#3756 07/14/00 02:37 PM
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,094
J
old hand
Offline
old hand
J
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,094
I'm guessing OED stands for Oxford English Dictionary?


#3757 07/17/00 05:07 AM
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,065
B
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
B
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,065
Knee-high? Shouldn't that be volume-high?

Bingley


Bingley
Page 1 of 2 1 2

Moderated by  Jackie 

Link Copied to Clipboard
Forum Statistics
Forums16
Topics13,912
Posts229,283
Members9,179
Most Online3,341
Dec 9th, 2011
Newest Members
TRIALNERRA, befuddledmind, KILL_YOUR_SUV, Heather_Turey, Standy
9,179 Registered Users
Who's Online Now
0 members (), 444 guests, and 3 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Top Posters(30 Days)
Top Posters
wwh 13,858
Faldage 13,803
Jackie 11,613
tsuwm 10,542
wofahulicodoc 10,510
LukeJavan8 9,916
AnnaStrophic 6,511
Wordwind 6,296
of troy 5,400
Disclaimer: Wordsmith.org is not responsible for views expressed on this site. Use of this forum is at your own risk and liability - you agree to hold Wordsmith.org and its associates harmless as a condition of using it.

Home | Today's Word | Yesterday's Word | Subscribe | FAQ | Archives | Search | Feedback
Wordsmith Talk | Wordsmith Chat

© 1994-2024 Wordsmith

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5