The Romance of Words (4th ed.)

Name: The Romance of Words (4th ed.)
Author: Ernest Weekley

By Ernest Weekley

Open in WeRead

Explore more books like this:

Language & Communication

About This Book

An accessible popular etymology that traces the origins, historical meanings, and semantic shifts of English words and phrases. Entries are grouped by natural associations and include discussions of surnames, obsolete senses, and surprising derivations, often correcting folk etymologies. The author summarizes how words entered English, cites illustrative quotations and historical dictionaries, and emphasizes clarity for non-specialists while noting where scholarly opinion has changed between editions. The result is a concise, example-rich survey that aims to entertain and inform readers curious about word history and meaning without requiring deep philological training.

About the Author

Ernest Weekley

Ernest Weekley was a British philologist and author, recognized for his contributions to the study of language and etymology. His notable works include "The Romance of Names," which explores the origins and meanings of personal names, and "The Romance of Words," a comprehensive examination of the history and evolution of the English language. Weekley's writings reflect his deep interest in linguistics and the cultural significance of words, making him an important figure in the field of language studies.