1. Martha Barnette's Funwords.com Samples of the etymological books from wordlover Martha Barnette, author of Ladyfingers Nun's Tummies and A Garden of Words. http://www.funwords.com/

Check out my new radio show! J oin me and my co-host, bestselling language maven Richard Lederer, for A Way With Words a language-loving, word-hugging, punderful and fun-filled hour of verbal power. Each week on A Way with Words , Richard and I throw an on-the-air (and sometimes off-the-wall) party celebrating the English language. Our listeners call in about all matters linguistic puns to punctuation, diction to dictionaries, word histories to phrase origins. Puzzled by some aspect of English grammar? Perturbed by a pronunciation pet peeve? Have you invented a word you'd like to see added to the language? Call us any time at 1-877-929-9673. Or email us at words@kpbs.org . You may wind up on our show! A Way with Words is produced at KPBS-FM in San Diego, California. (It's broadcast there on Saturdays at 4 p.m. PT, and repeated on Sundays at 10 a.m. PT). If A Way with Words isn't on your local airwaves yet, then call your public radio affiliate and ask for it by name!

2. Etymologically Speaking... A list of some curious word origins. http://www.westegg.com/etymology/

What follows is list of some curious word origins. Some of these are English, but some are French and German words from which we get some English words. Enjoy, and please let me know if you know of any other cool etymologies that I ought to add to the list! Also, I run a mailing list called RT where I send out some new, interesting etymologies that I discover every month (and other, non-philological items as well). Click here for more information. For some of my favorites, see Companion Kopf Porcelain , and Tennis Abacus Comes from the Greek word abax, which means "sand tray." Originally, columns of pebbles were laid out on the sand for purposes of counting. See calculate and exchequer Allegory From Greek allos meaning "other" and agora meaning gathering place (especially the marketplace). In times past, it was common to do one's chatting at the marketplace. Some of the topics discussed were clandestine in nature and when people spoke about them, for fear of being punished, they would speak indirectly. That is to say, they would speak about one thing in such a way as to intimate the actual information to the listener. Thus, the persons discussing clandestine matters were said to be speaking of "other things" in the marketplace. Eventually the words joined and became associated with the act of speaking about one thing while meaning another. Apple Eng.

3. Word Origins And Meanings Of Economic Terms Click on a word and go right to a brief discussion of its origin. http://www.louisville.edu/~bmhawo01/econpage/meanings.html

The Origins of Various Economic-related Terms Have you ever found yourself wondering where all those different words in your economics courses come from? Lose no more sleep! A handy word origins list is presented below. Each term is listed, so all you have to do is click on the word and you'll go right to a brief discussion of its origin. Bonds Coin Finance Salary ... Trade Bonds . This term is taken from the early English word band , which means a fastening. The word bond implies that one is "bound" to repay an obligation. Borrow . The word borrow derives from the Old English word borg , which means "pledge". Budget . In the Middle Ages, French merchants carried their money in a bougette , or "little bag". The word borrows from the Latin word bulga , meaning "a leather bag". Within the bag, one's monetary resources were kept. Business Business originally applied to a person suspected of taking part in mischievous activity. Eventually, it related to any type of activity, and later still to a type of vocation. Capital . This word comes ultimately from the Latin word for "head". The words

4. Wilton's Word Phrase Origins This site is devoted to the origins of words and phrases, or as a linguist would put it, to etymology. Etymology is the study of word origins. http://tmsyn.wc.ask.com/r?t=an&s=hb&uid=24312681243126812&sid=343126

5. Word Origin - Ask About Word And Phrase Origins And Meanings Ask about word origin word and phrase origins and meanings http://tmsyn.wc.ask.com/r?t=an&s=hb&uid=24312681243126812&sid=343126

6. The Word Detective The true origins of a New York City nickname, with additional material on other words and terms associated with the city. DoubleTongued Word http://tmsyn.wc.ask.com/r?t=an&s=hb&uid=24312681243126812&sid=343126

7. Wordwizard Clubhouse - Word Origins And Meanings Don t tell me, Addicts Corner, Archives, word origins and Meanings Archive, Usage and Writing Archive, Ask the Wordwizard Archive http://www.wordwizard.com/ch_forum/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=7

8. Online Etymology Dictionary Sponsor a word, and help keep the Online Etymology Dictionary free and open. Introduction and abbreviations. Who did this? links http://tmsyn.wc.ask.com/r?t=an&s=hb&uid=24312681243126812&sid=343126

9. Etymologically Speaking A list of some curious word origins. http://tmsyn.wc.ask.com/r?t=an&s=hb&uid=24312681243126812&sid=343126

10. Spell1 Bimonthly publication, SPELL/Binder, contains articles on grammar, usage, word origins, and other subjects of interest to language lovers. http://www.spellorg.com/

Handy Links "I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore!" Nearly 2,000 members can't be wrong. Can they? More than $25,000 in scholarship funds to be awarded to high school seniors. Membership benefits: Subscription to Spell/ Binder Member's handbook Scholarship contest Set of Goof Cards Contributions to SPELL are deductible THE WRITE WAY The SPELL guide to real-life writing. What is SPELL? R emember the old movie in which the distraught newscaster opened his window and yelled to the world, "...I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore!"? That's somewhat the way SPELL members feel when they see and hear our language being abused and misused by inept writers and speakers in the news media and elsewhere. As individuals, we can do little to prevent such abuses. As a group, we can do a lot. The Society for the Preservation of English Language and Literature (SPELL) is an organization of people who love our language and are determined to resist its abuse and misuse in the news media and elsewhere. We have almost 2,000 members in the United States and Canada. Members are from all professions and all walks of life doctors, lawyers, executives, engineers, teachers, writers, secretaries, students, retired people. The list could go on. SPELL members use our well- known Goof Cards to cite errors in grammar, usage, and syntax. The use of Goof Cards is not mean-spirited, sarcastic, or "school-marmish." Many who receive them write to thank SPELL for helping to uphold high standards.

11. World Wide Words Michael Quinion writes about International English from a British viewpoint. Hundreds of pages on the history, origins, evolution and idiosyncrasies http://tmsyn.wc.ask.com/r?t=an&s=hb&uid=24312681243126812&sid=343126

12. Phrase And Word Origins Word and phrase origins. From 2107 Curious word origins, Sayings Expressions from White Elephants to a Song and Dance by Charles Earle Funk (Galahad http://www.yaelf.com/questions.shtml

Phrase and word origins The suffix "stan" (Definitions) As a generally accepted explanation, the suffix "stan" is an ancient Persian and/or Farsi word meaning country, nation, land, or place of, so, the country name of Afghanistan would then mean "homeland" of the Afghans, or place of the Afghans. Afganistan Varied versions of Afghan are traced to the third century. Some historians feel the name derived from a 9th century Iranian emperor named Apakan. Kazakhstan Kazakh is a Turkic word meaning "someone independent and free." The name was later used by Russian people, eventually known as the Cossacks. Kyrgyzstan In the old Turkic language, kyrg means "40" and yz means "tribes," so the word itself means "40 tribes." The Kyrgyz originated in Mongolia. (extract from the "WorldAtlas.Com" site) http://www.worldatlas.com What is the origin of "go to hell in a handbasket"? "going to hell in a handbasket"? (Phrase origins) This phrase, meaning "to deteriorate rapidly", originated in the U.S. in the early 20th century. A handbasket is just a basket with a handle. Something carried in a handbasket goes wherever it's going without much resistance. James L. Rader of Merriam-Webster Editorial Dept. writes: "The Dictionary of American Regional English [...] records 'to go to heaven in a handbasket' much earlier than [...] 'hell,' which is not attested before the 1950s. The earliest cite in our files is from 1949 [...]. 'In a handbasket' seems to imply ease and and speed [...]. Perhaps part of the success of these phrases must simply be ascribed to the force of alliteration. DARE has a much earlier citation for another alliterative collocation with 'handbasket' (1714), from Samuel Sewall's diary: 'A committee brought in something about Piscataqua. Govr said he would give his head in a Handbasket as soon as he would pass it.' I suspect that 'to go to hell in a handbasket' has been around much longer than our records would seem to indicate."

13. Boston.com / News / Boston Globe / Obituaries / David Shulman, At David Shulman, at 91; detective of word origins. By Associated Press November 12, 2004 http://tmsyn.wc.ask.com/r?t=an&s=hb&uid=24312681243126812&sid=343126

14. Hugh Young's Lexicon Of Polari Includes glossary with alternative spellings, word origins, and pronunciation. http://www.homeusers.prestel.co.uk/cello/Polari.htm

Hugh Young's Lexicon of Polari As you see, some of it ( pronunciations , parts of speech - do they still call them that?) is incomplete, and some words lack derivations ( choad maung(ed) ?). For the filling of any gaps, or any suggested additions, I will be very grateful. I have given words and phrases the benefit of the doubt, including some that may be, for example, no-one but Kenneth Williams' idiolect. I would also be grateful for suggestions of, or offers from, generous foundations who would be prepared to finance a trip to England to study Polari first-hand. A Word Meaning Source Alternate Spellings Pronunci- ation Part of Speech Original Language Original Form Example Comment acqua water h acqua n It acqua Lingua Franca (LF) akwa h aqua ajax nearby a alamo! I'm hot for you/him! d excl acr. LMO = Lick Me Out arthur masturbate k vi rhyming slang J Arthur Rank = wank aspro male prostitute h aspro n LF aspro 'money' (or E 'arse' + 'pro[stitute]' ?) h aspra Aunt Nell ears a n pl Aunt Nell! Listen to me! a excl B Word Meaning Source Alternate Spellings Pronunci- ation Part of Speech Original Language Original Form Example Comment bagadga penis h bagadga n It bagaggio "baggage"

15. Dictionary.com Free online English dictionary, thesaurus and reference guide, crossword puzzles and other word games, online translator and Word of the Day. http://tmsyn.wc.ask.com/r?t=an&s=hb&uid=24312681243126812&sid=343126

16. AskOxford Word Origins word origins. I m sure I know the origin of the word Was the first computer bug a real insect? Oxford Word and Language Service http://www.askoxford.com/asktheexperts/faq/aboutwordorigins/

Entire AskOxford Site Ask the Experts English dictionary Quotations dictionary First Names dictionary Entire UK Book Catalogue HOME SHOP EDUCATION PRESS ROOM ... FOREIGN LANGUAGES SELECT VIEW You are currently in the US view Frequently Asked Questions Word Origins I'm sure I know the origin of the word... Was the first computer 'bug' a real insect? What are the 'Canons of Etymology'? What are the origins of 'a.m.' and 'p.m.'? ... Why is a batsman who makes no runs at cricket said to be out 'for a duck'? If, after browsing the FAQs, you still can't find the answer to your question then submit your query to the Oxford Word and Language Service Collective Terms for Animals Frequently Asked Questions Dictionaries ... ELT magazine

17. Fun With Word Origins Check out what The New Yorker magazine and William F. Buckley, Jr. have to say about my other books on word origins! http://tmsyn.wc.ask.com/r?t=an&s=hb&uid=24312681243126812&sid=343126

18. Take Our Word For It, The Weekly Word-origin Webzine Melanie Mike say Issue 199 the Monthly Wordorigin Webzine. April 10, 2005 Search Home FAQ Links Site map Book Store http://tmsyn.wc.ask.com/r?t=an&s=hb&uid=24312681243126812&sid=343126

19. Welcome To Characters Of Greek Mythology of the deities of Greek mythology, as well as fun stuff like the zodiac, word origins, mythical clipart, and artwork....... http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Oracle/5545/

Characters of Greek Mythology was established in June 1998 by Tonya James -Enter the myths!- Character Index Family Trees Paintings Index Mythical Clipart The Zodiac Roman Gods Creation The Titans The Olympians The Underworld Goddesses Gods Divine Sisters Nymphs Beguiling Beauties Mythical Creatures Heroes Lovers of Zeus Links and Credits Banner Links Tonya's Family Album Site Designed For 800 x 600 Resolution enable java-script for best viewing experience visitors since June 1998 If you like this site, don't forget to bookmark it! Intro and Navigation Tips Character Index Family Trees Roman Gods ... Sign Guestbook

20. Born To Sun: Word Creations Inspiring Spiritual Divine Mastery Imaginative excavations of word origins are used to unearth a form of divine mastery. Introduction, exercises and word archives. http://www.borntosun.com

B ORN T O S UN http://www.borntosun.com

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