What do the words haggard, mews, codger, arouse, musket, poltroon, gorge, allure, pounce and turn-tail have in common? The answer - they're all descended from falconry.Word origins guide Haggard Hawks & Paltry Poltroons collects together the remarkable histories of 500 English words and uniquely presents them in 50 sets of ten like this, linked together by some extraordinary etymological or linguistic quirk. From 10 Words Derived from Colors to 10 Words Invented by Shakespeare, here you'll find the connections between ampersands and alarm clocks, praline and chauvinism, tuxedos and Texas, bidets and cavalries, and much, much more. Familiar words mingle with the unfamiliar and the downright bizarre, and each word is dealt with in accessible yet informative detail, over offering a fascinating insight into all corners and eccentricities of the English language. 

Haggard Hawks and Paltry Poltroons

Humor & Entertainment

Paul Anthony Jones

Humor

Constable Robinson

The ultimate gift for wordsmiths and lovers of language: a word for every day of the year Open the Cabinet to leap back in time, learn about linguistic trivia, follow a curious thread or wonder at the web of connections in the English language. 1 January quaaltagh (n.) the first person you meet on New Year's Day 1 April dorbellist (n.) a fool, a dull-witted dolt 12 May word-grubber (n.) someone who uses obscure or difficult words in everyday conversation 25 September theic (adj.) an excessive drinker of tea 24 December doniferous (adj.) carrying a gift Paul Anthony Jones has unearthed a wealth of strange and forgotten words: illuminating some aspect of the day, or simply telling a cracking good yarn, each reveals a story. Written with a light touch that belies the depth of research it contains, this is both a fascinating compendium of etymology and a captivating historical miscellany. Dip into this beautiful book to be delighted and intrigued throughout the year.

The Cabinet Of Linguistic

Elliott & Thompson Ltd

Word Drops: A Sprinkling of Linguistic Curiosities

How well do you know your words?\nBuxom used to mean obedient 
A cloud was a rock 
Raunchy originally meant dirty\nBrimming with hidden histories and tantalising twists, The Accidental Dictionary tells the extraordinary stories behind ordinary words.\nOur everyday language is full of surprises; its origins are stranger than you might think. Any word might be knocked and buffeted, subjected to twists and turns, expansions and contractions, happy and unhappy accidents. There are intriguing tales behind even the most familiar terms, and they can say as much about the present as they do the past.\nBusking, for instance, originally meant piracy. Grin meant to snarl. A bimbo was a man, nice meant ignorant, glamour was magic and a cupboard was a table...\nFocusing on 100 surprising threads in the evolution of English, The Accidental Dictionary reveals the etymological origins and quirky developments that have led to the meanings we take for granted today. It is a weird and wonderful journey into words.\nSo, let's revel in its randomness and delight in its diversity - our dictionary is indeed accidental.

The Accidental Dictionary: The Remarkable Twists and Turns of English Words

A whole year's worth of linguistic curiosities, just waiting to be discovered. Open the Cabinet to leap back in time, learn about linguistic trivia, follow a curious thread or wonder at the web of connections in the English language. 1 January quaaltagh (n.) the first person you meet on New Year's Day 1 April dorbellist (n.) a fool, a dull-witted dolt 12 May word-grubber (n.) someone who uses obscure or difficult words in everyday conversation 25 September theic (adj.) an excessive drinker of tea 24 December doniferous (adj.) carrying a gift Paul Anthony Jones has unearthed a wealth of strange and forgotten words: illuminating some aspect of the day, or simply telling a cracking good yarn, each reveals a story. Written with a light touch that belies the depth of research it contains, this is both a fascinating compendium of etymology and a captivating historical miscellany. Dip into this beautiful book to be delighted and intrigued throughout the year.

The Cabinet of Linguistic Curiosities: A Yearbook of Forgotten Words

Elliott Thompson