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Joined: Jun 2000
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stranger
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OP
stranger
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 1 |
Does anyone know of a good book of word derivations?
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Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 444
addict
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addict
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.
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Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613
Carpal Tunnel
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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?
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Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,065
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,065 |
My favourite is Eric Partridge's "Origins" -- or it was until my father borrowed it.
Bingley
Bingley
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Joined: Jul 2000
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stranger
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stranger
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.
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Joined: Mar 2000
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2000
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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.
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Joined: Jul 2000
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old hand
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old hand
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,094 |
In the same line, what would you consider the best dictionary out there?
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 679
addict
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addict
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.
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Joined: Jul 2000
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old hand
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old hand
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,094 |
I'm guessing OED stands for Oxford English Dictionary?
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,065 |
Knee-high? Shouldn't that be volume-high?
Bingley
Bingley
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