The Facts on File Encyclopedia of Word and Phrase Origins (Facts on File Writer's Library)

...Writer's and teachers's of the English language will love this publication...as well as anyone who has pondered "where did that saying come from?"Or "Why do we say that" It gives an enjoyable and great incite into the slang and idioms we use daily.

Excellent book. My students and I enjoy looking up phrases and words in class

This book is interesting if you just want to read through and learn some interesting facts about word origins. It's not been a good resource for me for looking up meanings.

I've tried to use it as I would use a dictionary. When I hear a phrase, I often wonder what it means. Just this morning I wanted to look up "anchor to the wind". I was pretty sure I wouldn't find it. I didn't. I did learn that the "ch" in the middle of the word anchor is confusing, and that it was added in error. That's interesting to know, but not helpful for learning the meaning of a phrase I've heard used.

I can't remember previous examples that I've looked up, but my impression is that most time that I try to look something up, I can't find it. I don't know of a better book to recommend as a reference, but I do know that I've been disappointed with this book for that purpose.

Like all LINGUISTS I am forever a student and I did enjoy Mr. Hendricksons book, BUT, I would like to show a shortcoming of this book that exists in all linguistic books except my own. The alphabet is pictoral let's look at the origins of a simple word SHIP. Mr.Hendrickson does not have the slightest inkling that the letters of this word define how the word was invented. The S is used to make the HULL of the ship as well as the curved WHITECAPS. The H and I are superimposed over each other to make a grid pattern of four squares which become the sail and the mast. The P is the rudder. I would recommend my book in addition to his, check out www.lulu.com/content/749397 and welcome to the world of ALPHABETICAL HIEROGLYPHICS. Stephen Kellogg Brooks For free samples proving that the ALPHABET IS HIEROGLYPHIC Go to: www.esnips.com/web/oldbuccaneer584-public and welcome to my world.

The intrigue arises because I cannot pick up this book without getting caught up in something on every page. It's truly fascinating and I'm reading about things that I never even knew I was interested in!