Origins: A Short Etymological Dictionary of Modern English

Over thirty years ago I begun developing the habit of consulting etymological dictionaries whenever I wanted to deepen my understanding of words. I equipped myself with several etymological dictionaries in each of the three languages I use: spanish, french and english (which share many words). Over the years and independently of the language that triggered a given search, I found myself increasingly going FIRST to Partridge's ORIGINS (acquired in 1977) and often feeling no need of consulting another dictionary.
Quite a number of years comparing etymological dictionaries! Hence I agree, it should at least be reprinted or, hopefully, edited anew after improvement by a team of experts knowledgeable of more recent research in the field.

If you love the English language and are truly very curious about the meanings of its words as reflected in the evolution of its origins and meanings, this is a "must have" book. I have used the 1966 issue of it for years now, and rate it more useful, although a companion book, to the seminal work of Walter Skeat. No library can realistically be said to be complete,nor can any lover of the English language, without both of these works.

A little complex to use but once you get into it it can be fun. Set up like a dictionary so you need to thumb through it. Interesting resource though

If you have any interest at all in English etymology, you MUST HAVE THIS BOOK. Beg, borrow, bid, phone every used bookstore you can find -- do anything to get a copy of this book. This book is so good that when I came across a copy of it and skimmed it, all I could do was look back with new regret at the years I'd spent using other works I could now recognize as inferior.

This is simply the best book on English etymology I've ever seen -- beats the earlier etymological dictionaries by Skeats and Weekley hands down, and of course is superior to any normal dictionary's treatment of etymologies (OED, Merriam-Webster, etc.).

Please bring it back and put one under the pillow of every lover and liker of the language of Shakespeare and Milton. (Or, check your local used bookstore when you're feeling lucky.) My favorite book on English etymology.