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With headwords in colour, and quirky character illustrations, this dictionary recounts the absorbing and fascinating history of thousands of words.
This new edition takes a fresh look at the cool and curious words we use, and tells the stories of where words come from, whether they are to do with food, the supernatural, fashion, invented words, or words from the 80s, 90s, and noughties.

Who ate the first sandwich?
Where does abracadabra come from?
Would you really be spooked by a zombie?

John Ayto, top word expert entertains all ages from eight to eighty with this informative and humorous dictionary.

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With headwords in colour, and quirky character illustrations, this dictionary recounts the absorbing and fascinating history of thousands of words.
This new edition takes a fresh look at the cool and curious words we use, and tells the stories of where words come from, whether they are to do with food, the supernatural, fashion, invented words, or words from the 80s, 90s, and noughties.

Who ate the first sandwich?
Where does abracadabra come from?
Would you really be spooked by a zombie?

John Ayto, top word expert entertains all ages from eight to eighty with this informative and humorous dictionary.

Features

  • The only word origins dictionary for children today
  • Many thousands of headwords in colour in alphabetical order
  • Full central section focuses on over 40 extended topics - acronyms, fashion words, invented words, supernatural words, words from the 90s and noughties
  • Written by etymological expert, John Ayto

Trade, school, school libraries, 8+ years.
Reviews
Oxford Dictionary of Word Origins
  • Oxford School Dictionary of Word Origins (H) (OP)



The specification in this catalogue, including without limitation price, format, extent, number of illustrations, and month of publication, was as accurate as possible at the time the catalogue was compiled. Due to contractual restrictions, we reserve the right not to supply certain territories.