Description

Olivia Swarthout, creator of the viral sensation Weird Medieval Guys, turns her idiosyncratic and humorous eye to the fascinating roots of the English language. Here, she introduces readers to wordspotting, a hobby for those who love words and their peculiarities, origins and histories.

From the seemingly modern ‘unfriend’ – which dates back to the seventeenth century – to the revelation that the leotard was named after its inventor Jules Leotard, The Wordspotter’s Guide brims with fascinating linguistic tidbits alongside advice and techniques for detecting the bizarre and unlikely commonalities between words and their meanings.

An invitation to pay better attention to words and their stories, this etymological romp will bring out the wordspotter in everyone.

Publisher Review

Swarthout is a warm, knowledgeable tour guide of the English language, taking you on a thought-provoking stroll through history — Adam Aleksic, bestselling author of ALGOSPEAK An insanely original exploration of where our words come from, and how much historical power they contain. But proceed with care: your newfound authority may just make you insufferable — Simon Garfield, author of JUST MY TYPE Immensely readable, full of learning and very entertaining. Olivia Swarthout shows how words are a source of stories and of knowledge across time and across human society. With energy, humour and learning she demonstrates that words have inner lives, often surprising, wayward and ambiguous. This is an enjoyable and readable book that will teach readers something about the language we use every day — Anthony Bale, author of A TRAVEL GUIDE TO THE MIDDLE AGES Every word tells a story, and Swarthout has scooped up some of the best. From internal anatomy to outer space, her light-hearted joyride through English etymology will enrich your appreciation of the lore beneath our language — Eli Burnstein, author of DICTIONARY OF FINE DISTINCTIONS Part field guide, part bestiary – a joyful hunt through the weird and wonderful world of the English language — Rebecca Lee, author of ROGUES, WIDOWS AND ORPHANS Hugely enjoyable. Reading The Wordspotter’s Guide was like following a plough as it unearths the fossils of the English language — Shaun Bythell, author of THE DIARY OF A BOOKSELLER Word nerds can unite around this book for lovers of the English language … Smart, scholarly, perceptive and engaging, this book is a must-read for anyone obsessed with language and communication * Library Journal * Praise for WEIRD MEDIEVAL GUYS * : * A gently fascinating insight into the marginalia of a lost era * Guardian * The best gift book there is … I genuinely struggle to think of a person who might not love it * Independent – Best Books to Gift (and gift again) * Full of illuminating snippets that is sure to brighten up the darkest of times … we love this book * Blackwells * Brilliantly funny … Olivia celebrates the wonderful weirdness of the past in this gleeful book * Simple Things – Christmas Gift Guide 2023 * Weird Medieval Guys is a riot … it is enticingly re-readable and will remain a favourite for the non-expert, while also being enjoyable to the specialist * Morning Star *