Pre-order Releases Mar 23, 2027
Useless Etymology: Offbeat Word Origins for Curious Minds
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About the book
Useless Etymology
Mignon Fogarty, host of the Grammar Girl podcast
Did you know that an "astronaut" is literally a "star sailor," that a thesaurus is, in fact, a "treasure
trove" of words, and that someone who is "sinister" is actually just "left-handed"?
Have you ever wondered why English isn't considered a Romance language if 60% of our
words are Latin-derived?
Did Shakespeare really invent 1,700 words, and if not, why the heck do we say that he did?
Why is the English language stuffed with so many synonyms?
Let's be real: English can seem pretty bonkers. And, well, sometimes it is. But through thorough thought and a pinch of curiosity, method can be found within the madness of our modern tongue-even within the disparate pronunciation of the words "through," "thorough," and "thought."
Derived from Germanic, Romance, Hellenic, Semitic, African and Native American languages, English contains multitudes. It has been (and continues to be) transformed by war and conquest, art and literature, science and technology, love and hate, wit and whim.
Useless Etymology takes readers on a time-traveling adventure to unlock the beauty, wonder, and absurdity within our everyday words, how they came to be, and the unexpected ways their origins weave a global, cross-cultural labyrinth of meaning.
Filled with fun facts and delightful discoveries, this is an enlightening read for anyone who wants to know more about why the English language works the way that it does.
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Details
- Publisher
- John Murray Press
- Author
- Jess Zafarris
- Format
- Paperback
- Release date
- Mar 23, 2027
- ISBN-13
- 9781399809191
- ISBN-10
- 1399809199
- Pages
- 336
Who it's for
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Useless Etymology for groups: pricing
Volume pricing applies automatically in your cart. No codes, no account needed.
| Copies | Price per copy | You save |
|---|---|---|
| 25 – 99 | $8.84 | 41% off list |
| 100 – 249 | $8.39 | 44% off list |
| 250 – 499 | $7.94 | 47% off list |
| 500 – 999 | $7.64 | 49% off list |
| 1,000+ | $7.35 | 51% off list |
Where can I buy 100 copies of Useless Etymology?
BookPal sells Useless Etymology in quantity. At 100 copies the price is $8.39 a copy, against a list price of $14.99, and the cart applies the volume tier automatically. Free shipping on most orders over $95 in the contiguous US. A specialist can quote a larger or mixed order.
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What does Useless Etymology cost when I buy for a group?
Volume pricing applies automatically in your cart, with no code needed. Price per copy: 25 to 99 copies, $8.84 (41% off list); 100 to 249 copies, $8.39 (44% off list); 250 to 499 copies, $7.94 (47% off list); 500 to 999 copies, $7.64 (49% off list); 1,000+ copies, $7.35 (51% off list). Need a different quantity, or a quote to forward for approval? Ask a specialist and we will confirm pricing before you pay.
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