The Oxford Guide to Etymology

• About this book


• 1: Introduction


• 2: What is a Word? Which Words Need Etymological Research?


• 3: Are Words Coherent Entities?


• 4: Word Formation


• 5: Lexical Borrowing


• 6: The Mechanisms of Borrowing


• 7: Change in Word Form


• 8: Semantic Change


• 9: The Etymology of Names


• 10: Conclusion


• Glossary


• Suggested Further Reading


• References


• Index of Words


• General Index

Philip Durkin is Principal Etymologist of the Oxford English Dictionary. He trained as a medievalist and historian of the English language at the University of Oxford, where he completed a doctorate on previously unedited Middle English prose texts. He is a well-known speaker on English etymology. His publications include articles in scholarly journals, such as Transactions of the Philological Society, Dictionaries, and Critical Quarterly. He is Honorary Treasurer of teh Philological Society, the oldest learned society in Great Britain for the study of language and languages

This is an immaculate work in every sense, proudly flying the banners of authority and of hegemony ... a galazy of fascinating examples ... a brilliant, addictive work indispensable for school and academic libraries at all levels, and for all with any interest in words and the enchanted patterns they weave. H. G. A. Hughes, Reference Reviews a very readable, informative, content-packed introduction for the beginner; for the initiated it provides an incentive to ponder the many open questions presented. As such it can be unreservedly recommended. Elmar Seebold, Anglia Our strong expectations of The Oxford Guide to Etymology are fully realized Nicoline van der Sijs, Nederlandse Taalkunde A valuable and readable book. It offers a lucid, careful discussion of the main principles of etymology, and illustrates them with copious examples. It also nicely contextualizes etymology within the field of historical linguistics as a whole... Deserves a place on every etymologist's shelves. LinguistList I am very impressed by the thoroughness of its coverage and the scholarly yet accessible style in which it is written. There is a real need for a book of this kind, which will appeal to the interested and informed general public as well as students and scholars. Joan Beal, Professor of English University of Sheffield Not only is this book truly excellent, it is unique in at least two ways. First, because it is the only dedicated textbook on the market as far as I know entirely devoted to etymology; and second because it is by an etymologist working on the OED, the best and fullest etymological dictionary of any language currently available. Roger Lass, Professor Emeritus of Linguistics, University of Cape Town Very much to be welcomed Paul T. Roberge, English Language and Linguistics

This is an immaculate work in every sense, proudly flying the banners of authority and of hegemony ... a galazy of fascinating examples ... a brilliant, addictive work indispensable for school and academic libraries at all levels, and for all with any interest in words and the enchanted patterns they weave. H. G. A. Hughes, Reference Reviews