Best Selling Books by John Ayto

Laid out in an A-Z format with detailed cross references, and written in a style that is both authoritative and accessible, Word Origins is a valuable historical guide to the English language.

Gives a selection of the key words added to the English language in the twentieth century and the early years of the twenty-first. This work features an introductory essay that identifies the main historical, cultural, and scientific currents, and shows how they contributed new vocabulary to the language.

Containing over 10,000 words and phrases, this is the ideal reference for those interested in the more quirky and unofficial words used in the English language. Including surprisingly old words such as booze and guzzle to the most up-to-date words like humongous and lunchbox, this fascinatingbook is sure to provide a stonking good read for all. Thematically arranged by chapter for easy browsing Words are arranged chronologically to show how the language has changed Contains word origins, illustrative examples from literature, and an easy-to-use AZ index ''hours of happy browsing for language lovers'' Observer

Uncover the hidden and often surprising connection between words. Written in a clear and informative style, the more than 8,000 articles reveal the origins of and links between some of the most common English-language words. What is the link between map and apron, acrobat and oxygen, zeal and jealousy, flour and pollen, secret and crime? Did you know that crimson originally comes from the name of tiny scale insects, the kermes, from whose dried bodies a red dyestuff is made? That Yankee began as a nickname for Dutchmen? That omelette evolved from amulette, “a thin sheet of metal,” and is a not-too-distant cousin of the word laminate? That jeans find their antecedent in jean fustian, meaning “a cotton fabric from Genoa”? They also contain an extensive selection of words whose life histories are intrinsically fascinating or instructive. This dictionary shows how modern English has developed from its Indo-European roots and how the various influences on the language—from migration and invasion to exploration, trade, technology, and scholarship—have intermingled. It is an invaluable addition to any English or linguistics library.

Trialled and tested in schoolsFor the first time a comprehensive dictionary of word origins will be available for all school students.Each headword entry gives a complete and fascinating story about how a particular word came into the English language and evolved over time. In addition, each headword entry includes meanings and how each word is used in context.It also includes 40 extended panels covering a range of themes like:* Other languages which gave vocabulary to the English language form Arabic and Australian-Aboriginal to Urdu and Yiddish* Acronyms (AIDS, NATO), eponyms (Wellingtons), invented words (nylon, spoof), shortened words (photo, exam), blends (motor and hotel became motel) and folk etymology* Subjects students are interested in, ranging from food and drink, animals, sports, space, to first names and illnesses

Take a fascinating journey from plastic (1909) to podcasting (2004). This vivid picture of the last 105 years is based on John Ayto''s critically acclaimed Twentieth Century Words, and was published in hardback as Movers and Shakers: A chronology of words that shaped our age. It offers aselection of the key words added to the English language in the twentieth century and the early years of the twenty-first, grouped by decade. An introductory essay identifies the main historical, cultural, and scientific currents running through each decade, and shows how they contributed newvocabulary to the language. An A-Z listing of words which were first recorded in that decade follows, selected for their resonance to today''s world. Each word is fully described and its origins explained. A final section looks at vocabulary developments of the new millennium. Full of surprises, thisbook is at once a glimpse of the past and a handbook for today.

What is it to ''cock a snook'', where is the land of Nod, and who was first to go the extra mile? Find the answers to these questions (and many more!) in the new edition of the Oxford Dictionary of Idioms. This dictionary uncovers the meanings of myriad phrases and sayings that are used daily in the English language, encompassing more than 10,000 figurative expressions, similes, sayings, and proverbs. More than 400 idioms have been added to this new edition, and comprise recently coined and common sayings alike. New additions include ''back of the net'', ''drag and drop'', ''go it alone'', ''how come?'', ''if you ask me'', ''make your skin crawl'', and ''woe betide''. Illustrative quotations sourced from the Oxford corpora give contextual examples of the idioms and their standard usage, and many entries include background information on the origins of the idiom in question. An updated thematic index makes for easy navigation, and anyone who is interested in the origins and diversity of English vernacular will have hours of fun browsing this fascinating dictionary.

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Rhyming slang is a subject of perennial interest to the general language-conscious public. This book, with entries arranged in topic areas, such as clothing, food and drink, animals, sex, and illness, illustrates how rich and entertaining a language form it is. Through extensive examples, John Ayto explores the range and development of rhyming slang during its 150 year history, from the ''bees and honey'', ''oily rag'', and ''Uncle Ned'' of traditional Cockney Rhyming Slang to the popney rhyming slang of today.

From absinthe to zabaglione, theDiner''s Dictionary is a mouth-watering collection of food and drink terms, explaining their meaning and origins. Covering basic ingredients and traditional dishes, as well as exotic delicacies, this book will delight all those who want to discover more about what they eat and drink.

From ambulance chaser to zoot suit, this is the most authoritative and up-to-date dictionary of twentieth century slang. Drawing on the resources of the Oxford English Dictionary, and packed with illustrative quotations, ranging from John Lennon to Woody Allen, it is a comprehensive andentertaining collection of over 5,000 slang words and phrases.

From Angels on Horseback to Zabaglione, this lively and authoritative guide presents the meaning, origin, and development of over 1,200 food and beverage terms. Offering encyclopedic entries on a wide range of edibles, this entertaining guide covers everything from staple foods (potatoes and rice) and everyday drinks (tea and coffee) to foods named after their place of origin (Stilton and Petit Suisse) and popular foreign cuisine (ciabatta and poppadom). A rich and ecclectic spread, A Gourmet''s Guide will delight all those who want to discover more about what they eat and drink, even those gastronomic red herrings such as Bombay duck, Alaska strawberries, and prairie oysters.

Long established as the ultimate reference for anyone with an interest in the English language, Brewer''s Dictionary of Phrase and Fable features tens of thousands of encyclopedic entries examining the origins and significance of popular words, phrases, allusions and cultural references. Its delightfully diverse content includes cultural, historical and mythological references, beliefs and customs, proper names, literary characters, idioms and slang. First published in 1870 and now in its 17th edition, this ever-popular collection has moved with the times to include such up-to-date material as Beckingham Palace, Hogwarts and bling alongside wonderful stories from past and present.

In Twentieth Century Words, lexicographer John Ayto takes us on an exhilarating tour of our century, charting it decade by decade by way of the words we''ve coined to mark our passage through time. Ayto looks at some 5,000 words and meanings, from "flapper" to "flower power" to "road rage." We learn the birth dates of words such as "movie" (1910s), "barbecue" (1930s), Beatlemania (1960s), and "foodie" (1980s). Ayto also treats us to many surprises as well. Did you know, for instance, that "atomic energy" was coined in the 1900s, "rocket ship" in the 1920s, "hologram" in the ''40s, and "modem" in the ''50s? And in addition to the main alphabetic sequence of entries, the book also offers boxed features on topics of special interest, such as words arising from World War II ("bazooka," "jeep," "bikini"). With a thoughtful essay to introduce each decade, and thousands of evocative words and phrases, Twentieth Century Words will enthrall all word lovers as it opens a unique window on the last one hundred years.

Gives the origin and meaning of a wide variety of food terms, including historical and literary references and related uses, both British and American.

Uncovers the often surprising connections between elements of the English lexicon that have become obscured by centuries of language change.