| Summary: | "One of the most distinctive characteristics of English is the number of words and phrases it has borrowed - and continues to borrow - from other languages, originally and most notably from Latin and French but now also from every corner of the globe. From the frequently used veranda and futon to the less familiar quinquennium and catenaccio, from the longstanding in vino veritas and vade mecum to the recent doosra and galactico, this highly informative reference book provides a revealing record of that remarkable story." "Entries give the meaning and history of each word or phrase, including language of origin, spelling variants, pronunciation. Information is given on specific items of interest, such as the use of daemon in Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy. Feature panels provide extra information on how specific languages and cultures have influenced particular areas of English."--BOOK JACKET.
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