Teddy Bears, Tupperware and Sweet Fanny Adams: How the Names Became the Words

The fascinating history behind eponyms—the people whose names were given to a discovery, invention, or place

What's in a name? From Achilles to zeppelin, the words used in everyday language invoke a cast of historical characters, from figures of ancient legend to modern-day sports stars. But ever wonder how on earth the names became everyday words? How, for example, did Italian nationalist leader Giuseppe Garibaldi give his name to something so sweet as a cookie? And who knew, when Odysseus set off on his ten-year voyage home in Homer's epic, that long journeys would take his name? Behind so many words are real people with a story to tell. This fascinating book reveals the history behind the most familiar and more unusual eponyms.