Word Myths: Debunking Linguistic Urban Legends

Author/Contributor(s):	Wilton, David
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Date:	12/02/2004
Binding:	Hardcover
Condition:	NEW

David Wilton debunks the most persistently wrong word histories, and gives, to the best of our actual knowledge, the real stories behind these perennially mis-etymologized words. In addition, he explains why these wrong stories are created, disseminated, and persist, even after being corrected time and time again. What makes us cling to these stories, when the truth behind these words and phrases is available, for the most part, at any library or on the Internet?