Most Popular Books by John Ayto

The average contemporary English speaker knows 50,000 words. Yet stripped down to its origins, this apparently huge vocabulary is in reality much smaller, derived from Latin, French and the Germanic languages. It is estimated that every year, 800 neologisms are added to the English language: acronyms (nimby), blended words (motel), and those taken from foreign languages (savoir-faire). Laid out in an A-Z format with detailed cross references, and written in a style that is both authoritative and accessible, Word Origins is a valuable historical guide to the English language.

Take a fascinating journey from plastic (1909) to podcasting (2004). This vivid picture of the last 105 years is based on John Ayto''s critically acclaimed Twentieth Century Words, and was published in hardback as Movers and Shakers: A chronology of words that shaped our age. It offers aselection of the key words added to the English language in the twentieth century and the early years of the twenty-first, grouped by decade. An introductory essay identifies the main historical, cultural, and scientific currents running through each decade, and shows how they contributed newvocabulary to the language. An A-Z listing of words which were first recorded in that decade follows, selected for their resonance to today''s world. Each word is fully described and its origins explained. A final section looks at vocabulary developments of the new millennium. Full of surprises, thisbook is at once a glimpse of the past and a handbook for today.

Rhyming slang is a subject of perennial interest to the general language-conscious public. This book, with entries arranged in topic areas, such as clothing, food and drink, animals, sex, and illness, illustrates how rich and entertaining a language form it is. Through extensive examples, JohnAyto explores the range and development of rhyming slang during its 150 year history, from the ''bees and honey'', ''oily rag'', and ''Uncle Ned'' of traditional Cockney Rhyming Slang to the popney rhyming slang of today.

Gives a selection of the key words added to the English language in the twentieth century and the early years of the twenty-first. This work features an introductory essay that identifies the main historical, cultural, and scientific currents, and shows how they contributed new vocabulary to the language.

A dictionary of modern slang draws on the resources of the "Oxford English Dictionary" to cover over five thousand slang words and phrases from throughout the English-speaking world.

The average English speaker knows approximately 50,000 words -- almost 25 times more words than there are stars visible in the night sky. The Dictionary of Word Origins uncovers the often surprising connections between words. In more than 8,000 entries, the dictionary reveals the origins of and links between words like beef and cow, secret and crime, flour and pollen, imbecile and bacteria, plankton and complain. Written in a clear and informative style, the Dictionary of Word Origins shows how English today has developed from its Indo-European origins and how diverse influences on the language have intermingled. This highly browsable reference also looks at the many new words and coinages that enter the language every year.

This new edition of the Oxford School Dictionary of Word Origins, now available in paperback, is an engaging, funny, and absorbing history of thousands of words and phrases used in everyday language. It is perfect for additional language reference and helps develop an insight into the words we use every day.

The ideal reference for those interested in the more quirky and unofficial words used in English. Each area of life and each aspect of the world that generates slang is explored in turn. Including surprisingly old words such as booze and guzzle as well as the most up-to-date words like humongous and lunchbox, this fascinating book is sure to provide a stonking good read for all.

From absinthe to zabaglione, theDiner''s Dictionary is a mouth-watering collection of food and drink terms, explaining their meaning and origins. Covering basic ingredients and traditional dishes, as well as exotic delicacies, this book will delight all those who want to discover more about what they eat and drink.

Provides over 10,000 word origins in alphabetical order.

What is it to ''cock a snook'', where is the land of Nod, and who was first to go the extra mile? Find the answers to these questions (and many more!) in the new edition of the Oxford Dictionary of Idioms. This dictionary uncovers the meanings of myriad phrases and sayings that are used daily in the English language, encompassing more than 10,000 figurative expressions, similes, sayings, and proverbs. More than 400 idioms have been added to this new edition, and comprise recently coined and common sayings alike. New additions include ''back of the net'', ''drag and drop'', ''go it alone'', ''how come?'', ''if you ask me'', ''make your skin crawl'', and ''woe betide''. Illustrative quotations sourced from the Oxford corpora give contextual examples of the idioms and their standard usage, and many entries include background information on the origins of the idiom in question. An updated thematic index makes for easy navigation, and anyone who is interested in the origins and diversity of English vernacular will have hours of fun browsing this fascinating dictionary.

Brewer''s Dictionary of Phrase and Fable is one of the world''s best-loved reference books. First published in 1870, this treasury of ''words that have a story to tell'' has established itself as one of the great reference classics—the first port of call for tens of thousands of terms, phrases and proper names, and a fund of fascinating, unusual and out-of-the-way information. At the heart of the dictionary lie entries on the meaning and origin of a vast range of words and expressions, from everyday English phrases to Latin tags. Alongside these are articles on people and events in mythology and religion, and on folk customs, superstitions and beliefs. Major events and people in history are also treated, as are movements in art and literature, famous literary characters, and key aspects of popular culture, philosophy, geography, science and magic. To complete this rich mix of information, Brewer and his subsequent editors have added an extraordinary and enticing miscellany of general knowledge—lists of patron saints, terms in heraldry, regimental nicknames, public house names, the principal English horse-races and famous last words. For the Seventeenth Edition of Brewer''s the entire existing text has been revised and updated and more than 1500 new articles added. These include: words and phrases (best thing since sliced bread, bling, where the bodies are buried); characters and places from fantasy literature and film (Gollum, Hogwarts, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Voldemort); political, celebrity and sporting nicknames (Butcher of Baghdad; Dubya); miscellaneous arcana (Chorasmian Waste, dilligrout, dwile flonking). This first new Brewer''s of the 21st century maintains and respects the book''s 135-year-old tradition, while offering a wealth of fascinating new material to reflect the ''phrase and fable'' of a changing world.

Seasoned throughout with literary wit and wisdom, this veritable feast of gastronomic words and phrases traces the origins and history of over 1,200 English terms for foodstuffs, dishes, and drinks. Previously published as The Diner''s Dictionary and Gourmet''s Guide, this includes hundreds of illuminating quotations, ranging from the French writer, Misson, on seventeenth-century puddings, to Anthony Burgess on eating durians. Tuck into foods and drinks named after their place of origin,such as stilton, cheddar, or Dublin Bay prawns. Get your teeth stuck into such eponymous fruits and vegetables as Cox''s Orange Pippin and Webb''s Wonder. Or whet your appetite with wines named after their grape, including cabernet sauvignon and riesling. The book also covers the terminology of foreign cuisine that has become popular in Britain, such as Italian ciabatta. This edition also features a new introduction by Alan Davidson, author of theOxford Companion to Food.

"Drawing on the unique resources of the Oxford English Dictionary, Stone the Crows features over 6,000 slang words and expressions, from the British beer goggles, through the American cockamamie, to the Australian gigglehouse. This collection contains old favourites as well as the very latest slang terms. In addition to the A-Z entries, the book contains a comprehensive thematic index, details of origins, dates of first printed use, and thousands of illustrative quotations from famous names including John Lennon and Woody Allen." --Book Jacket.

This book systematically records, verifies and interprets over 1200 new English words and meanings which appeared worldwide, predominently in 1987 and 1988. The entry records the word, gives a definition, cites the press quotation to verify the occurance and interprets the origin of the word.

责任者译名:艾托。

From Angels on Horseback to Zabaglione, this lively and authoritative guide presents the meaning, origin, and development of more than 1,200 food and beverage terms. "Stuffed with delightful morsels in a digestible form".--Independent.

Completely updated for the twenty-first century, this reference presents definitions and origins of thousands of words, idioms, catchphrases, slogans, nicknames, and events from TV, literature, music, comic strips, and computer games.

In Twentieth Century Words, lexicographer John Ayto takes us on an exhilarating tour of our century, charting it decade by decade by way of the words we''ve coined to mark our passage through time. Ayto looks at some 5,000 words and meanings, from "flapper" to "flower power" to "road rage." We learn the birth dates of words such as "movie" (1910s), "barbecue" (1930s), Beatlemania (1960s), and "foodie" (1980s). Ayto also treats us to many surprises as well. Did you know, for instance, that "atomic energy" was coined in the 1900s, "rocket ship" in the 1920s, "hologram" in the ''40s, and "modem" in the ''50s? And in addition to the main alphabetic sequence of entries, the book also offers boxed features on topics of special interest, such as words arising from World War II ("bazooka," "jeep," "bikini"). With a thoughtful essay to introduce each decade, and thousands of evocative words and phrases, Twentieth Century Words will enthrall all word lovers as it opens a unique window on the last one hundred years.

Wobbly Bits is the essential guide to polite conversation. Covering everything from the politically incorrect to the seriously taboo, this humorous book offers over 3,000 ways to avoid speaking your mind! Keep this book as your secret weapon (that ''distinguished, cosmetically different person of size'' your friend keeps mentioning might just not be your ideal date!), and you''ll never be caught out again! Subjects covered include crime, sins, sex, the body and its parts, clothing and nakedness, bodily functions and secretions, illness and injury, old age and death, work, poverty, government and politics, warfare and race. "Utterly delightful and instructive" - The Observer

We may enjoy freedom of speech, but when dealing with certain subjects - for instance death, poverty, physical appearance - we are rarely free to express ourselves directly. Personal shame, the frailty of those we speak to and society''s politically correct standards have all contributed to the ever-growing collection of descriptive, and often hilarious, expressions created to circumnavigate the unmentionable. This is a guide to the use of euphemisms and art of polite conversatiion. Over 3000 euphemisms are presented in contextual essays under such headings as funerals, male genitals, gambling and employment. These essays are supported by an alphabetical index for accessibility and the book is suited for either close reading or reference use. The guide also examines the origins of euphemisms and includes popular and humourous examples including "houses of accomodation" containing "ladies of the night" and "the filth" arresting "liberators" of "readies"."

This reference book aims to answer all the questions readers may have on problematic words. Alphabetically ordered, it gives guidance on problematic areas such as accept or except, different from/to and -ize or -ise?

The Encyclopedia of Surnames is not just another dictionary! With entertaining coverage of more than 7,000 surnames listed alphabetically, it provides a complete and accessible companion to tracing the history of names. Written by John Ayto, a respected lexicographer and author of titles such as Word Origins, the Encyclopedia of Surnames is the ideal gift or research tool for historians, journalists, genealogists, researchers and anyone interested in tracing their family history. Broad coverage includes supplementary features on famous surnames, surnames of fictional characters, pseudonyms and names from abroad which are popular in the UK, including Celtic names.

Gives the origin and meaning of a wide variety of food terms, including historical and literary references and related uses, both British and American

This major new edition contains entries for over 6,000 idioms, including 700 entirely new entries, based on Oxford''s language monitoring and the ongoing third edition of the Oxford English Dictionary.