Language Etymology

‘Beautiful, thought-provoking, and compelling' SUSIE DENT 'Punchy and persuasive' SUNDAY TIMES As Sophia Smith Galer’s Nonna lay dying, she realised it wasn’t just a beloved grandmother she was losing – it was the language she spoke, too. From Northern Italy, she spoke a dialët that...

A veteran Merriam-Webster editor celebrates the world’s biggest language through the dictionary In this engaging narrative lexicographer Peter Sokolowski uncovers the history of our language in the dictionary definitions written from Shakespeare’s time to ours. English is always changing...

Unlock the meaning behind everyday English. Speak with confidence. Think with clarity. Have you ever heard phrases like “break the ice,” “hit the nail on the head,” or “under the weather” and wondered what they really mean? Idioms are everywhere—in conversations, books, movies, and the workplace. But without understanding them, it’s easy to feel confused or left behind. This book gives you a clear, practical way to master idioms and start using them naturally in real life.

Surprising, entertaining, and illuminating, this is a must-listen for armchair travelers and word nerds. Our dictionaries are full of hidden histories, tales, and adventures from all over the world - if you know where to look. 

Explore the world of names: What is something that literally everything in existence has in common? It all has a name! With this audiobook, you can learn the origins of these names. From countries and cities to toys and animals to even planets, learn the etymology of interesting words in a fun and entertaining way. Learn new things: Why is New York called New York? Name Explain has the answer for you. 

A rollicking, beautifully illustrated adventure through the history of the English language—from social media star Olivia Swarthout English is, by many measures, the largest language in the world—and doubtless the unruliest. Over the last millennium, we’ve borrowed, stolen, conquered, and...

A poetic treasury of spiritual insight, The Language of the Soul uncovers the original meanings of words to help us remember what it means to be fully alive This program is read by the author. For poet and spiritual teacher Mark Nepo, words have always been more than tools for...