The Wordspotter's Guide

'This is book worth wandering into, offering rich pickings and tidbits galore' COUNTRY LIFE

'An insanely original exploration of where our words come from' SIMON GARFIELD'

The creator of the viral sensation Weird Medieval Guys turns her idiosyncratic and humorous eye to the fascinating roots of the English language.

Do you know your 'lightning-stems'* from your 'ground lions'†?

Ever wondered whether you are more of a 'soft little cheese'‡ or a 'manikin'§?

Did the Norse have it right when they called their ale receptacles 'beer mansions'** and their wine 'the destruction of dignity'††?

Introducing Wordspotting: a hobby for those in search of linguistic illumination. Words give our lives meaning. They gift us the power of communication and lend colour and texture to our experiences. Above all, they allow us to tell stories - including the stories of words themselves.

Brimming with fascinating etymological titbits alongside advice and techniques for detecting the bizarre and unlikely connections between words and their meanings, The Wordspotter's Guide will set you on the path to becoming the ultimate etymological explorer.

* Anacondas
† Chameleons
‡ Compliment: delight, dear one
§ Insult: little man
** Bjorrann
†† Galli strugs

'Immensely readable, full of learning and very entertaining' ANTHONY BALE