Reference | Words, Language & Grammar

Thereby Hangs a Tale : Stories of Curious Word Origins

by Charles E. Funk

2020-08-24 05:49:56

Compare Price
From “mad as a wet hen” to “corn dodger” and “hobgoblin,” Charles Funk’s collections of curious words and expressions are a treasure trove of word origin. In a language where hearse and rehearse have the same... Read more

From “mad as a wet hen” to “corn dodger” and “hobgoblin,” Charles Funk’s collections of curious words and expressions are a treasure trove of word origin.

In a language where hearse and rehearse have the same root and the word dunce comes from a great philosopher, English has hundreds of everyday words that originated or acquired their meanings in unusual ways. Dictionaries don’t have the space to tell us all the mysteries but now Dr. Funk, with humor and insight, tells us the strange and intriguing stories of hundreds of words and how they came to be a part of our language.

Less

Book Details

File size7.9x5.2x0.9inches
Print pages320
PublisherAvon Books
Publication date October 1, 2002
ISBN9780060513382
autor-image
Charles E. Funk
Author
...

Compare Prices

Store Availability Book Format Condition Price
Indigo Books & Music In Stock Buy CAD 18.50
BOOKSAMILLION.COM In Stock Paperback Paperback Buy USD 14.99
Indigo Books & MusicIn Stock
Format
Condition
Buy CAD 18.50
BOOKSAMILLION.COMIn Stock
Format
Paperback
Condition
Paperback
Buy USD 14.99
Available Discount
No Discount available

Related Books

View All
${ornaments[Math.floor(Math.random()*ornaments.length)]}
FREE
A History of the McGuffey Readers
☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
${ornaments[Math.floor(Math.random()*ornaments.length)]}
FREE
The Chinese Classics: with a translation, critical and exegetical notes, prolegomena, and copious indexes
☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
${ornaments[Math.floor(Math.random()*ornaments.length)]}
FREE
New Word-Analysis, or School Etymology of English Derivative Words ...
☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
${ornaments[Math.floor(Math.random()*ornaments.length)]}
FREE
Lectures on the Science of Language
☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
${ornaments[Math.floor(Math.random()*ornaments.length)]}
FREE
Arthur: A Short Sketch of His Life and History in English Verse of the First Half of the Fifteenth Century
☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
${ornaments[Math.floor(Math.random()*ornaments.length)]}
FREE
Write It Right: A Little Blacklist of Literary Faults
☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
${ornaments[Math.floor(Math.random()*ornaments.length)]}
Understanding the Leitmotif
☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
${ornaments[Math.floor(Math.random()*ornaments.length)]}
English, Conversational Topics, Upper-Intermediate
☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
${ornaments[Math.floor(Math.random()*ornaments.length)]}
FREE
Contes de Noël par Josette (French Edition)
☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
${ornaments[Math.floor(Math.random()*ornaments.length)]}
FREE
Preface to a Dictionary of the English Language
☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
${ornaments[Math.floor(Math.random()*ornaments.length)]}
FREE
Evenings at Donaldson Manor; Or, the Christmas Guest
☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
${ornaments[Math.floor(Math.random()*ornaments.length)]}
FREE
Public Speaking: Principles and Practice
☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
${ornaments[Math.floor(Math.random()*ornaments.length)]}
FREE
A Dictionary of the Chinook Jargon, Or, Trade Language of Oregon
☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
${ornaments[Math.floor(Math.random()*ornaments.length)]}
Library 101
☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
${ornaments[Math.floor(Math.random()*ornaments.length)]}
FREE
The Works of Mr. Francis Beaumont, and Mr. John Fletcher; In Ten Volumes. Adorn'd With Cuts. Revis'd and Corrected: With Some Account of the Life and Writings of the Authors. Volume 6 of 10
☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
${ornaments[Math.floor(Math.random()*ornaments.length)]}
Language Maintenance and Shift
☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
${ornaments[Math.floor(Math.random()*ornaments.length)]}
FREE
Sanders' Union Fourth Reader: Embracing a Full Exposition of the Principles of Rhetorical Reading, with Numerous Exercises for Practice, Both in Prose and Poetry, Various in Style, and Carefu
☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
${ornaments[Math.floor(Math.random()*ornaments.length)]}
500 Grammar Based Conversation Questions
☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
${ornaments[Math.floor(Math.random()*ornaments.length)]}
FREE
Blue Aloes Stories of South Africa
☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
${ornaments[Math.floor(Math.random()*ornaments.length)]}
FREE
A Grammar of the English Tongue
☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
${ornaments[Math.floor(Math.random()*ornaments.length)]}
FREE
Hand of Fu-Manchu, The: Being a New Phase in the Activities of Fu-Manchu, the Devil Doctor
☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
${ornaments[Math.floor(Math.random()*ornaments.length)]}
FREE
The American Language
☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
${ornaments[Math.floor(Math.random()*ornaments.length)]}
FREE
A Handbook of the English Language
☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
${ornaments[Math.floor(Math.random()*ornaments.length)]}
FREE
Chaucer: Animaduersions Uppon the Annotacions and Corrections of Some Imperfections of Impressiones of Chaucer's Workes Sett Downe Before Tyme and Nowe Reprinted in the Yere of Our Lorde 1598
☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
${ornaments[Math.floor(Math.random()*ornaments.length)]}
FREE
How to Write Clearly; Rules and Exercises on English Composition
☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Join us and get access to all
your favourite books

Sign up for free and start exploring thousands of eBooks today.

Sign up for free

Stay in touch.

© 2026 AMPLE READS