The Secret Life of Words: How English Became English

Words are essential to our everyday lives. An average person spends his or her day enveloped in conversations, e-mails, phone calls, text messages, directions, headlines, and more. But how often do we stop to think about the origins of the words we use? Have you ever thought about which words in English have been borrowed from Arabic, Dutch, or Portuguese? Try admiral, landscape, and marmalade, just for starters. 
The Secret Life of Words is a wide-ranging account not only of the history of English language and vocabulary, but also of how words witness history, reflect social change, and remind us of our past. Henry Hitchings delves into the insatiable, ever-changing English language and reveals how and why it has absorbed words from more than 350 other languages―many originating from the most unlikely of places, such as shampoo from Hindi and kiosk from Turkish. From the Norman Conquest to the present day, Hitchings narrates the story of English as a living archive of our human experience. He uncovers the secrets behind everyday words and explores the surprising origins of our most commonplace expressions. The Secret Life of Words is a rich, lively celebration of the language and vocabulary that we too often take for granted.

Reference

Henry Hitchings

Words, Language & Grammar

Farrar. Straus and Giroux

By 1700, France and Italy already had dictionaries of their own, and it became a matter of national pride that England should rival them. Dr Johnson rose to the challenge, turning over the garret of his London home to the creation of his Dictionary. He imagined it would take three years. Eight years later it was finally published, full of idiosyncrasies, but complete nevertheless. It would become the most important British cultural monument of the eighteenth century. This is the story of Johnson's attempt to define each and every word. In wonderfully engaging chapters, Hitchings describes Johnson's adventure -- his ambition and vision, his moments of despair, the mistakes he made along the way and his ultimate triumph.

Dr. Johnson's Dictionary : The Extraordinary Story of the Book That Defined the World

John Murray

By 1700, France and Italy already had dictionaries of their own, and it became a matter of national pride that England should rival them. This is the story of Dr Johnson's attempt to define each and every word.

Dr Johnson's Dictionary: The Extraordinary Story of the Book That Defined the World

Biographies & Memoirs

John Murray Publishers, Ltd.

How to Really Talk About Books You Haven't Read

Language Wars: A History of Proper English

The English language is a battlefield. Since the age of Shakespeare, arguments over correct usage have been acrimonious, and those involved have always really been contesting values - to do with morality, politics and class. THE LANGUAGE WARS examines the present state of the conflict, its history and its future. Above all, it uses the past as a way of illuminating the present. Moving chronologically, the book explores the most persistent issues to do with English and unpacks the history of 'proper' usage. Where did these ideas spring from? Which of today's bugbears and annoyances are actually venerable? Who has been on the front line in the language wars? THE LANGUAGE WARS examines grammar rules, regional accents, swearing, spelling, dictionaries, political correctness, and the role of electronic media in reshaping language. It also takes a look at such niggling concerns as the split infinitive, elocution and text messaging. Peopled with intriguing characters such as Jonathan Swift, H. W. Fowler and George Orwell as well as the more disparate figures of Lewis Carroll, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Lenny Bruce, THE LANGUAGE WARS is an essential volume for anyone interested in the state of the English language today or intrigued about its future.

John Murray Publishers

Sorry! The English and Their Manners

A humorous and charming investigation into what it really means to have proper mannersMost of us know a bit about what passes for good manners―holding doors open, sending thank-you notes, no elbows on the table―and we certainly know bad manners when we see them. But where has this patchwork of beliefs and behaviors come from? How did manners develop? How do they change? And why do they matter so much? In examining English manners, Henry Hitchings delves into the English character and investigates what it means to be English.     Sorry! presents an amusing, illuminating, and quirky audit of British manners. From basic table manners to appropriate sexual conduct, via hospitality, chivalry, faux pas, and online etiquette, Hitchings traces the history of England's customs and courtesies. Putting some of the most astute observers of humanity―including Jane Austen and Samuel Pepys―under the microscope, he uses their lives and writings to pry open the often downright peculiar secrets of the English character. Hitchings's blend of history, anthropology, and personal journey helps us understand the bizarre and contested cultural baggage that goes along with our understanding of what it means to have good manners.

Parenting & Relationships

Family Relationships

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Henry Hitchings. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Henry Hitchings

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Henry Hitchings. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

The Secret Life of Words: How English Became English

Dr. Johnson's Dictionary : The Extraordinary Story of the Book That Defined the World

Dr Johnson's Dictionary: The Extraordinary Story of the Book That Defined the World

How to Really Talk About Books You Haven't Read

Language Wars: A History of Proper English

Language Wars: A History of Proper English

Sorry! The English and Their Manners

Sorry! The English and Their Manners