spinnerroweok's review against another edition
4.0
A fun look at American English and American history.
pumpkinspice4ever's review
Library loan ended, book has interesting facts but is too dense to hold my interest at this time
m_kayk's review against another edition
3.0
I had to take into consideration that this book was released 25 years ago. Based on that, the book was OK. The information on language was excellent, but it was buried within historical stories that had no relevance to American English.
For example, I did not need biographical information on the writers of the Declaration of Independence or the Constitution. What I would have enjoyed more is an analysis or discussion on the language of the era and what new language was created.
For example, I did not need biographical information on the writers of the Declaration of Independence or the Constitution. What I would have enjoyed more is an analysis or discussion on the language of the era and what new language was created.
valerief's review against another edition
3.0
I feel like this book could be shorter and further revised. The discussion of American English etymology sometimes gets set aside to delve into aspects of history. Plus, the leaps and bounds the language has made from technology, not to mention the realization of a more heterogeneous US population, warrants a new edition. Still, I learned some new things about where words originated and refreshed my American history knowledge.
meg_leigh's review against another edition
4.0
A bit harder to get through than some of his others, but that's due to its nature. Definitely interesting, with lots of "huh, I didn't know that" moments.
skribobby's review against another edition
4.0
If you brush over the parts that focus on lengthy root causes for innocuous words, the book becomes a fun and super informative surprise about American history from its discovery to 1994.