The Oxford Guide to Etymology

Essential reading for anyone who, like me, is fascinated with the history of words and their meanings. The author is eminently qualified as principal etymologist of the Oxford English Dictionary. The chapters cover such topics as word formation, lexical borrowing, change in word form and semantic change. The book begins with a couple of examples, one of which is the English word friar, related to the French frere and the Latin frater then the English brother, both in form and meaning. Another example further into the book is the change of meaning in English word quaint. The current meaning dates from the mid-18th century, but in earlier periods it meant cunning or crafty; also pretty or dainty. Meanings overlap and gradually fall into disuse as new meanings emerge. There are also sections on etymologies of names of people and places. A fascinating and authoritative work.