The Romance of Words (4th ed.) by Ernest Weekley
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"The Romance of Words" by Ernest Weekley is a linguistic exploration written in the early 20th century. This work delves into the etymology of various English words, tracing their historical origins and transformations over time. Weekley's aim is to present the often-surprising histories of these words in an accessible manner, catering to those with a casual interest in language rather than specialists in the field. The opening of the book introduces the
intricate makeup of the English vocabulary, detailing its Latin, Old English, and Norse components, with particular emphasis on the influence of Old French. Weekley discusses how words can have complex and layered meanings, showing how native terms can become obsolete in favor of borrowed ones. He highlights the romance of language and the intriguing tales that accompany the evolution of words, making it clear that this work is intended not only for educational purposes but also for the enjoyment of language enthusiasts. The author sets the stage for a deeper exploration of language, inviting readers to uncover the unexpected narratives behind familiar terms. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
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About this eBook
| Author | Weekley, Ernest, 1865-1954 |
|---|---|
| Title | The Romance of Words (4th ed.) |
| Credits |
Produced by Jonathan Ingram, Stephen Blundell and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at www.pgdp.net |
| Reading Level | Reading ease score: 74.0 (7th grade). Fairly easy to read. |
| Language | English |
| LoC Class | PE: Language and Literatures: English |
| Subject | English language -- Etymology |
| Subject | English language -- Semantics |
| Category | Text |
| eBook-No. | 23958 |
| Release Date | Dec 21, 2007 |
| Copyright | Public domain in the USA. |
| Downloads | 1502 downloads in the last 30 days. |
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