Like Joseph T. Shipley's Origins of English Words ( LJ 6/1/84), but in briefer compass, this book gives an entertaining and enlightening glimpse into the many fascinating word histories hidden in our English vocabulary. For anyone who even wondered how "tooth" and "dentist" could be from the same source, or what "futile" has to do with "funnel," Claiborne suggests sources for learning more. An index of English words gives access to the main listing of Indo-European roots in alphabetical order, each with its descendants in English--via Greek, Latin, French, or German. Uncertain or controversial etymologies are identified as such. A book that word buffs, linguists, and language teachers will enjoy.

Share/Like this Review?