The Etymologicon, Mark Forsyth

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‘Thereâ€s always an extra connection, another link that joins two words that most of mankind quite blithely believe to be separateâ€. Erudite, discursive and highly entertaining, Forsythâ€s book pursues the etymological pathways from ancient languages and through the twists and (often ribald) turns of English, demonstrating how testicles are linked to testaments and parentheses to codpieces; how the Vikings†Sedge-Stream relates to Starbuckâ€s; and how the Zodiacâ€s Gemini becomes both equal sign and oily beaver. Show more