"The ability to recognize base words is a powerful vocabulary-building strategy. Everyday words from classic origins teaches over 1,000 Latin and Greek base words, which remain embedded in over one-half of the most commonly used English words. There are thirty lessons in this new edition. Twenty-four lessons cover the most powerful Latin and Greek base words for everyday vocabulary. Six new lessons teach specific base words for the core subject areas of language arts, social studies, math, and science. A review to monitor and reinforce learning follows every third lesson"--Back cover.

Introduces the student to the many elements of the Greek and Latin languages that are found throughout English, as a basis for vocabulary building.

Gives the detailed origins of a wide variety of English words. It includes nearly 1,200 words, a definition of each entry, and an explanation of both the true and the false origins of each word.

A simple introduction to the etymology of familiar words and phrases.

A compendium containing the origins and history of some of the most common words and phrases in the English language. Once upon a time . . . Tying the knot actually involved tying a knot—not saying vows. Meanwhile, a thinking cap wasn’t just a cute idea for schoolchildren, but an actual hat worn by scholars in the Middle Ages. Oh, and when you make no bones about something, you should consider yourself lucky you aren’t choking on a chicken foot. What’s in a Word? answers the question it poses, more than three hundred times over. You’ll learn which side of the bed is the wrong side, and why the word “nickname” is simply the product of slurred speech. Webb Garrison’s etymological journey through the origins of words and phrases, both common and obscure, is sure to fascinate wordsmiths of every stripe.

This dictionary gives the intriguing origins of hundreds of everyday words and expressions. Useful for reference and fun just for browsing, Dictionary of Word Origins is also a great way to expand vocabulary and enjoy doing it.