The Secret Life of Words

'Hitchings's excavations are a treat. He presents the best gleanings of academia in a winning, conversational style. Almost every spadeful yields an etymological nugget . . . elegantly and entertainingly written' * Financial Times *
'[It] disentangles an intriguing narrative from a mass of information, revealing the distinct cultural climates that produced certain words and bearing witness to an increasing global language, always morphing into something new' * Guardian *
'A fascinating exploration of the rich borrowings, exchanges and couplings of the language' * Ben Macintyre, The Times *
'Hitchings delves into words, resurfacing with their surprising origins' * The Times *
'It is a book that brings etymology fizzingly alive ... it teems with vivid, quirky evidence of the way the English vocabulary bears continuing witness to our cultural history' * Sunday Times *
'His book is a patient, thorough and highly entertaining excavation' * Sunday Times *
'Hitchings's examples cover the full span of English' * Observer *
'Expert analysis ... this is a wonderfully well-organised and entertaining book, which thoroughly deserved to win last year's John Llewellyn Rhys Prize' * Daily Mail *
'Hitchings has teased out the stories lurking behind the language to provide a most satisfying whole' * Publishing News *
'Much more than a collage of etymological trivia, this is a dense and thorough excavation of the stories that lie behind the words we say' * Metro *
'Quite how Hitchings has managed to wrestle this dizzying mountain of dense information into such an elegant narrative . . . is a feat almost as admirable as that of the great lexicographer. His book is painstakingly detailed, closely argued and suffused with a contagious enthusiasm for the secrets woven into the fabric of our words * Daily Telegraph *
'Hitchings steps deftly round the traps and the stereotypes, while throwing up great clouds of delicious trivia' * Peter Robins, Daily Telegraph *
'Filled with fascinating nuggets' * Independent *
'A thrilling narrative history of our uniquely beautiful and thriving language' * Catholic Herald *
'Comprehensive guide ... with countless revelations and world-related trivia, this is the often surprising story of the words we take for granted' * Heritage *
'This is a hugely informative and non-academic account' * Sunday Tribune *
'Fascinating subject ... a detailed, comprehensive study ...there are lots of surprises, and the author's enthusiasm is infectious. An entertaining and informative read' * Shropshire Star *
Much more interesting than a simple dictionary of etymology * Writing Magazine *
Marvellous, scholarly and beautifully written, quite the best of its kind I have read in years ... wise and witty * Oldie *
'Wonderfully detailed history ... a rich and rewarding read' * Good Book Guide *
'The author's deliverings reveal much that intrigues about our history and about our social environment' * This England *
'Hitchings's excavations are a treat. He presents the best gleanings of academia in a winning, conversational style. Almost every spadeful yields an etymological nugget . . . elegantly and entertainingly written' * Financial Times *
'[It] disentangles an intriguing narrative from a mass of information, revealing the distinct cultural climates that produced certain words and bearing witness to an increasing global language, always morphing into something new' * Guardian *
'A fascinating exploration of the rich borrowings, exchanges and couplings of the language' * Ben Macintyre, The Times *
'Hitchings delves into words, resurfacing with their surprising origins' * The Times *
'It is a book that brings etymology fizzingly alive ... it teems with vivid, quirky evidence of the way the English vocabulary bears continuing witness to our cultural history' * Sunday Times *
'His book is a patient, thorough and highly entertaining excavation' * Sunday Times *
'Hitchings's examples cover the full span of English' * Observer *
'Expert analysis ... this is a wonderfully well-organised and entertaining book, which thoroughly deserved to win last year's John Llewellyn Rhys Prize' * Daily Mail *
'Hitchings has teased out the stories lurking behind the language to provide a most satisfying whole' * Publishing News *
'Much more than a collage of etymological trivia, this is a dense and thorough excavation of the stories that lie behind the words we say' * Metro *
'Quite how Hitchings has managed to wrestle this dizzying mountain of dense information into such an elegant narrative . . . is a feat almost as admirable as that of the great lexicographer. His book is painstakingly detailed, closely argued and suffused with a contagious enthusiasm for the secrets woven into the fabric of our words * Daily Telegraph *
'Hitchings steps deftly round the traps and the stereotypes, while throwing up great clouds of delicious trivia' * Peter Robins, Daily Telegraph *
'Filled with fascinating nuggets' * Independent *
'A thrilling narrative history of our uniquely beautiful and thriving language' * Catholic Herald *
'Comprehensive guide ... with countless revelations and world-related trivia, this is the often surprising story of the words we take for granted' * Heritage *
'This is a hugely informative and non-academic account' * Sunday Tribune *
'Fascinating subject ... a detailed, comprehensive study ...there are lots of surprises, and the author's enthusiasm is infectious. An entertaining and informative read' * Shropshire Star *
Much more interesting than a simple dictionary of etymology * Writing Magazine *
Marvellous, scholarly and beautifully written, quite the best of its kind I have read in years ... wise and witty * Oldie *
'Wonderfully detailed history ... a rich and rewarding read' * Good Book Guide *