Description: English has hundreds of everyday words that originated or acquired their meanings in unusual ways. Dictionaries don't have the space to tell all the mysteries but Dr. Funk, with humor and insight, tells the strange and intriguing stories of hundreds of words and how they came to be a part of the language.
Brief description:
Charles Earle Funk was editor in chief of the Funk & Wagnalls Standard Dictionary Series. He wrote several other books on word and phrase origins, including Horsefeathers, Heavens to Betsy!, and Thereby Hangs a Tale.
Review Quotes:
"Much learning and wide research deftly and entertainingly presented." - Kirkus Reviews
"Recommended to everyone interested in color and background of words." - Nation
"Thereby Hangs A Tale should charm even the earnest reader....An admirable collection." - New York Times
"Just the kind of odds-and-ends information that suits many tastes for pickup reading." - San Francisco Chronicle