Barnhart Concise Dictionary of Etymology

As all lovers of language know, words are the source of our very understanding of ourselves and the world around us.

Often, however, our use of language is so automatic that we neglect to consider where those words came from and what they assume. What are the implications, beyond the simple dictionary definitions, of using words such as privilege, hysteria, seminal, and gyp?

Browsing through the pages of The Barhart Concise Dictionary of Etymology is like exploring the historical, political, and rhetorical wonderland of our linguistic heritage. We see the evolution of ideas, as rootword connections that now seem arbitrary are traced to schools of thought from the past. We also find an opportunity to examine how the sometimes backwards, sometimes hilarious, and sometimes illuminating ideologies built into our language affect our modern thinking.

Written in a fresh, accessible style, this book provides the derivations of over 21,000 English-language words without resorting to the use of abbreviations, symbols, or technical terminology. Drawing on the most current American scholarship, and focusing onthe core words in contemporary English, The Barnhart Concise Dictionary of Etymology is both a diverting browse and a thinking person's Bible.

• Dictionary of Word Origins: The Histories of More Than 8,000 English-Language Words
• The Etymologicon: A Circular Stroll Through the Hidden Connections of the English Language
• Moorish/Muurish Treaties: Guide to Treaties and Declarations
• English Words from Latin and Greek Elements
• The Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology
• Meet Your Strawman: And Whatever You Want To Know
• The UCC Connection: How To Free Yourself From Legal Tyranny
• Official Proclamation of Real Moorish American Nationality: Our Status and Jurisdiction as Citizens of the U.S.A.
• Nationality, Birthrights and Jurisprudence: New Social & Cultural Blueprint for Melaninated Indigenous People
• Black's Law Dictionary: Definitions of the Terms and Phrases of American and English Jurisprudence, Ancient and Modern, 5th Edition