• Uncovers the origins of over 3,000 words and phrases
• Over 190 new entries including bug, goldilocks, heterogenous, stonking, upholstery, and wicket
• Expressions from other languages and other broad topic areas are explored in 22 feature panels. 5 of these are new to this edition, and cover acronyms, blends, Oceanian words, and eponyms from people and places
• Draws on Oxford's unrivalled dictionary research and language monitoring
• Includes an extended introduction on the history of the English language
• Authority matched with accessibility

New to this Edition:

• Over 190 new entries including bug, goldilocks, heterogenous, stonking, upholstery, and wicket
• Includes 5 new feature panels which cover acronyms, word blends, Oceanian words, and eponyms from people and places

   
Newly updated to incorporate recent additions to the English language, the Oxford Dictionary of Word Origins provides a fascinating exploration of the origins and development of over 3,000 words in the English language. Drawing on Oxford's unrivalled dictionary research programme and language monitoring it brings to light the intriguing and often unusual stories of some of our most used words and phrases.
   
The A-Z entries include the first known use of the term along with examples, related lexes, and expressions which uncover the etymological composition of each word. Also featured are 22 special panels that give overviews of broad topic areas, 5 of which are completely new and that variously cover words from Oceania, word blends, eponyms, and acronyms. New findings in the OED since the previous edition have also been added, including emoji, mansplain, meeple, meme, and spam.
   
An absorbing resource for language students and enthusiasts, but also an intriguing read for any person interested in the development of the English language, and of language development in general. It also includes an extended introduction on the history of the English language.