Description

Book Synopsis
Most of us are aware that words such as geometry, mathematics, phobia and hypochondria derive from ancient Greek, but did you know that marmalade, pirate, sketch and purse can also trace their linguistic origins back to the Athens of 500 bce? This book offers a word-by-word look at the influence of Greek on everyday words in English, telling the stories behind the etymological developments of each example and tracing their routes into modern English via Latin and European languages. It also explains connections with ancient Greek culture, in particular mythology, politics and warfare, and includes proverbs and quotations from Greek literature. Taken together, these words show how we are deeply indebted to the language spoken in Athens 2,500 years ago for the everyday vocabulary we use when conducting our daily business.

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'This book is an etymologist's dream.' * Training Language and Culture *

It's All Greek: Borrowed Words and their

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    A Hardback by Alexander Tulloch

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      Book details

      Publisher Bodleian Library
      Published 16 November 2018
      ISBN-13 9781851245055
      978-1851245055
      ISBN-10 1851245057
      Also in:
      Dictionaries, Reference & Language Dialect, slang and jargon Language: history and general works

      Description

      Book Synopsis
      Most of us are aware that words such as geometry, mathematics, phobia and hypochondria derive from ancient Greek, but did you know that marmalade, pirate, sketch and purse can also trace their linguistic origins back to the Athens of 500 bce? This book offers a word-by-word look at the influence of Greek on everyday words in English, telling the stories behind the etymological developments of each example and tracing their routes into modern English via Latin and European languages. It also explains connections with ancient Greek culture, in particular mythology, politics and warfare, and includes proverbs and quotations from Greek literature. Taken together, these words show how we are deeply indebted to the language spoken in Athens 2,500 years ago for the everyday vocabulary we use when conducting our daily business.

      Trade Review
      'This book is an etymologist's dream.' * Training Language and Culture *

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