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The Hidden History of Coined Words Hardback - 2021

Name: The Hidden History of Coined Words
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Author: Keyes, Ralph
ISBN: 9780190466763

by Ralph Keyes

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From the publisher

Successful word-coinages--those that stay in currency for a good long time--tend to conceal their beginnings. We take them at face value and rarely when and where they were first minted. Engaging, illuminating, and authoritative, Ralph Keyes's The Hidden History of Coined Words explores the etymological underworld of terms and expressions and uncovers plenty of hidden gems.

He also finds some fascinating patterns, such as that successful neologisms are as likely to be created by chance as by design. A remarkable number of new words were coined whimsically, originally intended to troll or taunt. Knickers, for example, resulted from a hoax; big bang from an insult. Casual wisecracking produced software, crowdsource, and blog. More than a few resulted from happy accidents, such as typos, mistranslations, and mishearing (bigly and buttonhole), or from being taken entirely out of context (robotics). Neologizers (a Thomas Jefferson coinage) include not just scholars and writers but cartoonists, columnists, children's book authors. Wimp originated with a book series, as did goop, and nerd from a book by Dr. Seuss. Coinages are often contested, controversy swirling around such terms as gonzo, mojo, and booty call. Keyes considers all contenders, while also leading us through the fray between new word partisans, and those who resist them strenuously. He concludes with advice about how to make your own successful coinage.

The Hidden History of Coined Words will appeal not just to word mavens but history buffs, trivia contesters, and anyone who loves the immersive power of language.

Details

Title The Hidden History of Coined Words
Author Ralph Keyes
Binding Hardback
Pages 392
Volumes 1
Language ENG
Publisher Oxford University Press
Publication date 2021-03-01
Illustrated Yes
Features Bibliography, Illustrated, Index
ISBN 9780190466763 / 0190466766
Weight 1.56 lbs (0.71 kg)
Dimensions 9.4 x 6.2 x 1.3 in (23.88 x 15.75 x 3.30 cm)
Category Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy
Library of Congress subjects English language - Etymology, English language - New words
Library of Congress Catalogue Number 2020041480
Dewey Decimal Code 422

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Citations

Choice, 07/01/2022, Page 0

About the author

Ralph Keyes's seventeen books include The Post-Truth Era, which was cited by Oxford Dictionaries as the primary source of post-truth, their 2016 "Word of the Year." Keyes also wrote Is There Life After High School?, which inspired a Broadway musical. His other books include Euphemania, The Courage to Write, and Chancing It, a New York Times Notable Book of the year. Keyes has appeared on Oprah Winfrey, The Today Show, The Tonight Show, ABC World News Tonight, and 20/20. He's been interviewed on NPR's "All Things Considered," "On the Media," and "Fresh Air." His articles have been published by GQ, Good Housekeeping, Esquire, Glamour, Newsweek, Parade, Sports Illustrated, Harper's, and The American Scholar, where he also wrote a column on language. Several essays by him have been deemed "Notable" by the annual compilation of Best American Essays. Keyes lives in Portland, Oregon, with his wife, Muriel.

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Oxford University Press, Incorporated. Used - Good. Former library copy. Pages intact with minimal writing/highlighting. The binding may be loose and creased. Dust jackets/supplements are not included. Includes library markings. Stock photo provided. Product includes identifying sticker. Better World Books: Buy Books. Do Good.

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Oxford University Press. 1. Very Good. With dust jacket. It's a well-cared-for item that has seen limited use. The item may show minor signs of wear. All the text is legible, with all pages included. It may have slight markings and/or highlighting.