Description
Book SynopsisSuccessful word-coinages -- those that stay in currency for a good long time -- tend to conceal their beginnings. We take them at face value and rarely when and where they were first minted. Engaging, illuminating, and authoritative, Ralph Keyes''s The Hidden History of Coined Words explores the etymological underworld of terms and expressions and uncovers plenty of hidden gems. He also finds some fascinating patterns, such as that successful neologisms are as likely to be created by chance as by design. A remarkable number of new words were coined whimsically, originally intended to troll or taunt. Knickers, for example, resulted from a hoax; big bang from an insult. Casual wisecracking produced software, crowdsource, and blog. More than a few resulted from happy accidents, such as typos, mistranslations, and mishearing (bigly and buttonhole), or from being taken entirely out of context (robotics). Neologizers (a Thomas Jefferson coinage) include not just scholars and writers but cartoonists, columnists, children''s book authors. Wimp originated with a book series, as did goop, and nerd from a book by Dr. Seuss. Coinages are often contested, controversy swirling around such terms as gonzo, mojo, and booty call. Keyes considers all contenders, while also leading us through the fray between new word partisans, and those who resist them strenuously. He concludes with advice about how to make your own successful coinage. The Hidden History of Coined Words will appeal not just to word mavens but history buffs, trivia contesters, and anyone who loves the immersive power of language.
Trade ReviewEvery page offers lexicographical surprises, among them the early use of vegan (in 1944) and the failed coinage Malthusianism as a replacement for contraception ... Readable and wide ranging, Keyes's book will appeal to both experts and word aficionados. * E. L. Battistella, CHOICE *
... comprehensive and fascinating... Keyes rattles through hundreds of neologisms in entertaining fashion, from spam to moxie to pecking order to gonzo to the surprising gobbledygook.,NZ Listener
Ralph Keyes is a legend for his accurate and very entertaining books about language. Now, in The Hidden History of Coined Words, he has written the best book ever produced on the fascinating stories and processes of how new words are created. * Fred Shapiro, Editor of The New Yale Book of Quotations *
Ralph Keyes looks at the history of coined words to explore how creativity itself works in language. Few word books are both this entertaining and this accurate; even fewer also manage to say anything new. This riveting book does it all. * Jesse Sheidlower, Former Editor at Large of the Oxford English Dictionary and past president of the American Dialect Society *
If my reaction is typical, people will start reading and not be able to put it down. It's very witty and learned — and interesting! * Landon Y. Jones, author of The Essential Lewis and Clark *
The Hidden History of Coined Words is filled with intriguing information. Anyone who loves words, the history of language, or well-told stories will be glad they read this fascinating book. * Rosalie Maggio, author of How to Say It: Choice Words, Phrases, Sentences & Paragraphs for Every Situation *
Table of Contents1. Zen and the Art of Word Creation 2. Coined by Chance 3. Casual Coinage 4. Just Kidding 5. Prankery 6. Taunt Terms I: Euro 7. Taunt Terms II: U.S. 8. Coins in Bubbles 9. Ink-Stained Word Coiners 10. Kiddie Lit 11. Naming the Future 12. Literary Lingo 13. Ivy-covered Words 14. Coined with Intent 15. Nonstarters 16. Van Winkle Words 17. Disputation 18. Word Wars 19. Coiner's Remorse 20. You Too Can Coin a Word Bibliography Notes Acknowledgments
